For the first time in 14 years there has been a changing of the guard in Brampton.
Former Liberal MPP and cabinet minister Linda Jeffrey decisively defeated scandal plagued incumbent Susan Fennell in a much buzzed about election. Former city councillor John Sanderson showed valiant campaign effort and made strong enough of an impression to be the official runner up. However, Mr. Sanderson was not able to fully distance himself from the stigma of the Fennell administration. Ms. Fennell finished in a disappointing 3rd place.
The various scandals in which Ms. Fennell was embroiled, the lack of progress in Brampton, and a general 14 year itch for political change all contributed to Ms.Fennell's precipitous decline in this election. Even though Brampton may not agree now, Ms. Fennell had a decent, dare I say, impressive run.
She led the city through a phase of unprecedented growth, there was a highway 410 expansion, improvements in public transportation, and we got a new hospital all under Fennell's leadership. However, complacency kicked in, mistakes were made, and the administration simply exploited a broken and disengaged system to pull some "fast ones" on unsuspecting Bramptonians. The City Hall expansion and the Rose Theatre come to mind, we're going to be paying for those projects for a very, very long time.
Whatever, we must move on. We now have a new person in Brampton to lead the city in a new direction. How reassuring. So now what?
Friday, October 31, 2014
Thursday, October 23, 2014
The Battle of Brampton: Who Will Rise this Municipal Election?
"They have influence, they just don't realize it yet."
After first meeting only 15 minutes prior, our wide reaching introductory discussion about politics, media, and life in Brampton, had naturally segued into the topic of demographics. To my delight, Nicholas Grewal, 25, was enlightening the conversation with one of many succinct points. "Their numbers exceed those of their parents generation, and many are eligible to vote for their first time." He was right on the money. The generation born between 1994-1996 is a rising force in the democratic social scene of Canada. The ability to connect and engage with that these young adults would surely pay great dividends to whoever could capture their attention. "Rule number one of media: you gotta know your audience." Even though we hadn't known each other prior to this event, it was clear that Mr. Grewal was a guy who "got it".
Mr. Grewal's insider analysis and understanding of demographics was obviously valuable knowledge for a media arts student like himself, or for a fledgling publishing empire like us at #BramptonRises. However it gets even more real when one realizes Mr. Grewal's father, Gurjit S. Grewal, is one of the candidates running for Mayor of Canada's 9th largest city. A city where shifting demographics vividly paint a picture of an evolving country, and a desire for a change of leadership is manifesting itself.
Through my deep rooted, and various "Brampton connections", I was able to procure an invite to mayoral candidate Gurjit Grewal's campaign dinner. Traditionally, one would assume this was "not your scene". A mostly Punjabi language dinner for supporters and volunteers of a so called "long shot" candidate for the mayor of Brampton? Not to mention, a crowd that mostly consisted of parents, older brothers and relatives of my peers.
A) Wouldn't it be awkward?
B) Couldn't they get someone better?
After first meeting only 15 minutes prior, our wide reaching introductory discussion about politics, media, and life in Brampton, had naturally segued into the topic of demographics. To my delight, Nicholas Grewal, 25, was enlightening the conversation with one of many succinct points. "Their numbers exceed those of their parents generation, and many are eligible to vote for their first time." He was right on the money. The generation born between 1994-1996 is a rising force in the democratic social scene of Canada. The ability to connect and engage with that these young adults would surely pay great dividends to whoever could capture their attention. "Rule number one of media: you gotta know your audience." Even though we hadn't known each other prior to this event, it was clear that Mr. Grewal was a guy who "got it".
Mr. Grewal's insider analysis and understanding of demographics was obviously valuable knowledge for a media arts student like himself, or for a fledgling publishing empire like us at #BramptonRises. However it gets even more real when one realizes Mr. Grewal's father, Gurjit S. Grewal, is one of the candidates running for Mayor of Canada's 9th largest city. A city where shifting demographics vividly paint a picture of an evolving country, and a desire for a change of leadership is manifesting itself.
 |
| left: Brampton Mayoral Candidate Gurjit S. Grewal. Also pictured: a local, disadvantaged urban youth |
Through my deep rooted, and various "Brampton connections", I was able to procure an invite to mayoral candidate Gurjit Grewal's campaign dinner. Traditionally, one would assume this was "not your scene". A mostly Punjabi language dinner for supporters and volunteers of a so called "long shot" candidate for the mayor of Brampton? Not to mention, a crowd that mostly consisted of parents, older brothers and relatives of my peers.
A) Wouldn't it be awkward?
B) Couldn't they get someone better?
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Red Pill or Blue Pill? Democracy in the Matrix (The Democratrix!)
'Twas the grandest of seasons indeed. Democracy season!
One could feel the excitement of change in the brisk autumn air. The restless residents of the GTA, and cities all across Canada, were 11 days away from the most important municipal elections in 4 years! While the leaves fell, the lawn signs rose.
"Please, vote for me!"
They all plead. "I should be your school trustee, regional councilor, city councillor, or Mayor, for reals!" They suggested with great conviction. The people, understanding the big responsibility they had, deliberated carefully and patiently. Their choice of civic leaders would correct the mistakes of the previous administration, and dictate the future of their respective regions for the next 4 years, perhaps more. Such a decision couldn't be made on crazy impulses. Democracy was the biggest asset the society possessed, engaged citizens, it's most privileged guardians. Democracy was an ideal that many had died to protect, many had died trying to obtain, and many more had died being "given". Democracy, like Christmas was an ideal that all people could really get behind, and not lose sight of what it was really about. Oh, 'twas a grand season indeed! All the land was united in its efforts to keep things glorious and free. In the unseen horizons you could hear the millions (and millions!) chanting: Ford More Years! Ford More Years! Ford More Years!
One could feel the excitement of change in the brisk autumn air. The restless residents of the GTA, and cities all across Canada, were 11 days away from the most important municipal elections in 4 years! While the leaves fell, the lawn signs rose.
"Please, vote for me!"
They all plead. "I should be your school trustee, regional councilor, city councillor, or Mayor, for reals!" They suggested with great conviction. The people, understanding the big responsibility they had, deliberated carefully and patiently. Their choice of civic leaders would correct the mistakes of the previous administration, and dictate the future of their respective regions for the next 4 years, perhaps more. Such a decision couldn't be made on crazy impulses. Democracy was the biggest asset the society possessed, engaged citizens, it's most privileged guardians. Democracy was an ideal that many had died to protect, many had died trying to obtain, and many more had died being "given". Democracy, like Christmas was an ideal that all people could really get behind, and not lose sight of what it was really about. Oh, 'twas a grand season indeed! All the land was united in its efforts to keep things glorious and free. In the unseen horizons you could hear the millions (and millions!) chanting: Ford More Years! Ford More Years! Ford More Years!
Thursday, October 9, 2014
In a Debate of the Future of Brampton, a Real MVP Emerges.
"May god save our beautiful city from these greedy, career politicians!"- 2014 Brampton Mayoral Candidate Devinder Sangha. Line of the night.
On Thursday Oct 2, 2014 at The Brampton Young Professionals Forum (#BramYPF), the future of Brampton became a little more clear. The front running candidates for Mayor of Brampton were engaged in a debate. Attempting to win the hearts and minds of potential voters, while painting their unique vision of the city's future. The audience was a respectful and diverse mix of emerging young professionals and more established concerned residents. Brampton has been very active in the GTA political news scene due to ongoing controversies at City Hall. This debate would be one of the first with all the front running candidates participating. The venue was Lab•B, an exciting new start up based out of downtown Brampton. The old school media was present, and the anticipation was killer. Ironically, one of the candidates was late to arrive for the most Brampton reason of all, they were stuck in traffic.
On Thursday Oct 2, 2014 at The Brampton Young Professionals Forum (#BramYPF), the future of Brampton became a little more clear. The front running candidates for Mayor of Brampton were engaged in a debate. Attempting to win the hearts and minds of potential voters, while painting their unique vision of the city's future. The audience was a respectful and diverse mix of emerging young professionals and more established concerned residents. Brampton has been very active in the GTA political news scene due to ongoing controversies at City Hall. This debate would be one of the first with all the front running candidates participating. The venue was Lab•B, an exciting new start up based out of downtown Brampton. The old school media was present, and the anticipation was killer. Ironically, one of the candidates was late to arrive for the most Brampton reason of all, they were stuck in traffic.
Candidates Left to Right: John Sanderson. Susan Fennell, Linda Jeffrey, Devinder Sangha.
The standing room only crowd were treated to a focused, and well moderated debate by Jahmeela Gamble, the host/producer of TV program "A Voice for All" on Rogers10. Candidates were instructed to avoid unfocused attacks concerning the controversies at city hall and stay on topic when answering the questions presented. Ms. Gamble did a great job of keeping things on track and giving everyone equal time to make their points. Even though this led to a sometimes sterile feeling debate ( I was honestly hoping for a s**t show), it was the right decision for the fairness and integrity of the debate. The mudslinging and controversies are very entertaining and they do get the people engaged. However, the drama and hurt feelings can also easily become a distraction from reasonable discourse and can actually hinder the process of allowing people to make informed and enlightened decisions. #TurnUp to vote! #TurnDown for the debates.
Thursday, October 2, 2014
With or Without U(2): Apple's fateful dance with the uncool.
On September 9th 2014 in Cupertino, California, Apple was going to unleash something "bigger than bigger". The media had been breathlessly speculating on the potential announcements for weeks. Apple product speculation is an annual goldmine of excitement for media and consumers alike.
"It's probably a new iPhone."
"Or... a bigger iPhone?"
"Maybe a smart watch?"
"I heard it's going to have a new mobile payment system!"
"Oh yeah? Well... I heard it has a cure for Ebola!"
"...that escalated quickly."
Oh, so much fun speculation! Gotta love the turn't upfree marketing reporting of Apple product releases. The company has successfully made new product launches legitimate "cultural events". To not cover Apple during a release cycle would be leaving page views on the table in a highly competitive media landscape. Whether such devotion is a product of superior design and engineering or, a just a product of the shrill cult like marketing machine of Steve Jobs, such level of market transcendence is seriously impressive, and hard to ignore.
The overblown speculation was surprisingly on point this year. There was a new iPhone + a bigger iPhone too! Along with an updated operating system Apple also announced a new mobile payment system. Oh, there was a wearable device announced too. The Apple Watch. It was some really cool stuff, and I'm sure they will sell millions of units. No cure for Ebola just yet, but hey, 2 new, bigger iPhones!
Full disclosure, I am a long term Google guy. I like the Google ecosystem, I appreciate the openness and options of Google products. But, Apple have released and continue to release some admittedly cool stuff. I would probably not buy Apple products for myself, but I would graciously accept them as promotional considerations or gifts (aka free). Sure that may be a shameless plug for free stuff (hey Apple!), but also a segue to another surprise announcement at the Apple event. An actual free gift from Apple to all its loyal fans! A grand gesture from a grand company. A cool marketing opportunity with a world revered band. Apple was going to give a free copy of the first new U2 album in 5 years to every iTunes user. An simultaneous, previously unannounced, album release for 500 million+ people . In what they called the biggest album release of all time, the album was put into everyone iTunes account without having to do anything. Including consent to the delivery of the album. Beloved company, beloved band, free content, what could go wrong...
"It's probably a new iPhone."
"Or... a bigger iPhone?"
"Maybe a smart watch?"
"I heard it's going to have a new mobile payment system!"
"Oh yeah? Well... I heard it has a cure for Ebola!"
"...that escalated quickly."
Oh, so much fun speculation! Gotta love the turn't up
The overblown speculation was surprisingly on point this year. There was a new iPhone + a bigger iPhone too! Along with an updated operating system Apple also announced a new mobile payment system. Oh, there was a wearable device announced too. The Apple Watch. It was some really cool stuff, and I'm sure they will sell millions of units. No cure for Ebola just yet, but hey, 2 new, bigger iPhones!
Full disclosure, I am a long term Google guy. I like the Google ecosystem, I appreciate the openness and options of Google products. But, Apple have released and continue to release some admittedly cool stuff. I would probably not buy Apple products for myself, but I would graciously accept them as promotional considerations or gifts (aka free). Sure that may be a shameless plug for free stuff (hey Apple!), but also a segue to another surprise announcement at the Apple event. An actual free gift from Apple to all its loyal fans! A grand gesture from a grand company. A cool marketing opportunity with a world revered band. Apple was going to give a free copy of the first new U2 album in 5 years to every iTunes user. An simultaneous, previously unannounced, album release for 500 million+ people . In what they called the biggest album release of all time, the album was put into everyone iTunes account without having to do anything. Including consent to the delivery of the album. Beloved company, beloved band, free content, what could go wrong...
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