Questions About The University of Calgary Students Union Secondary Suite Poll

  Like many Calgarians, I was really surprised when I read through the University of Calgary Secondary Suite poll this week.  In this poll, commissioned by the U of C Students Union, the results claim that 79% of Calgarians support the legalization of secondary suites across the city.  When I first saw the results, my initial thought was that the favorable result seemed rather high, based on the polarizing nature of this important issue.

 These results got me thinking quite a bit about this poll.  I understand that this is an important issue, and affordable housing is a serious issue to university students, but I found myself wondering why the students union was so interested in this issue.  I also found it amazing that they would spend a reported $40,000 for this poll as it seems like a lot of money for a student group to authorize.  I cannot imagine the student body being thrilled that the SU was paying for a poll that affected all Calgarians, not just students that attend the university.

 While many people question the 79% approval rate for the legalization of secondary suites, I am also hearing lots of discussion about the source of the poll.  While I believe the intent is honorable, the optics of the poll being slightly biased must be discussed. 

• This link ( from the SU meeting minutes here) the VP External clearly states  that " if the initial poll data appears negative, then there is the possibility of stopping the poll prior to completion, which will mean a substantial savings."

• Many people online have also questioned why the polling firm, Zinc Communications was chosen, given the close ties between Mayor Nenshi and Zinc's president, Brian F. Singh.  In the following link, Mr. Singh is touted as a pollster and strategist for the Nenshi campaign.  Mr. Singh is a well respected Calgarian and I assume that many people have no issue with the SU choosing Zinc, but the question is worth discussing. 

The poll was not taken across all wards ( as they targeted riding's where the alderman was opposed or undecided) and I think that this leaves out a large percentage of Calgarians.

Regardless of where you stand on the Calgary secondary suite issue, I think its important that you question all sources of information ( including this hack blog) especially when looking at polling results. Especially when the results are used to try and sway the public.


Update:  Shortly after this post went live, I had a brief Twitter conversartion with Brian Singh from Zinc regarding the details of the poll.  While he understood that I was not questioning his integrity or ethics, as the post was written with the intent of getting people to talk about the poll and its source, he did correct me on a few points.

• The online component of the poll ( 900 responses) were from all 14 wards.  ( It appears that the phone survey was only done in the disputed wards as noted above.)
• Zinc won the contract from the SU through a bid process. ( Brian confirmed they won as Zinc had the best methodology and price.)

Once again Twitter has proven to be a valuable source of real time information.  The intent of this post was to get people talking about the issue and at the very least, it has been sucessful on that front.  This is what blogging is all about.

Has MLA Raj Sherman Jumped The Shark This Time?

  As I read my copy of the Calgary Herald this morning, I sat in shock and disbelief at the story outlining independent MLA Raj Sherman's accusations about a full scale government cover up regarding patient deaths in Alberta hospitals. 

According to Mr. Sherman, he alleged that he has received information that the province has paid millions of dollars to Alberta doctors in an attempt to cover up cancer patient deaths.  He goes so far as to claim that the government actually has two sets of accounting books, one that is public and a separate one containing the payout information to local doctors.  This story seems absolutely outrageous, as I find it hard to believe that a full fledged mafia style conspiracy of this magnitude could possible be kept quiet for so long.  The possibility that hundreds of doctors and medical professionals could possibly take "hush money" to cover up medial information is mind boggling. 

 I would love to see what concrete proof Mr. Sherman has on this matter and if he will actually bring it forward to share with Albertans. I find it highly unprofessional to make these kind of allegations without proof, especially while hiding behind a thin veil of MLA privilege.  This smacks of a weak attempt to stay in the media spotlight he appears to crave lately and it really is a classic case of  "Jumping the Shark", and I find it highly offensive.

 I actually felt sorry for this man in the fall when it appeared that the PC government was attacking his mental state and credibility.  After this latest episode, I think that I will reserve final judgement pending what Mr. Sherman brings forward as solid proof of his accusations.  Seeing as he did not share this with the media at the time, I doubt that he has any.

Social Media and the Calgary Secondary Suite Issue

   After a few months of heated debate over the secondary suite issue, Calgary City Council will once again face this issue on March 7, 2011.  No matter what side of the issue you are on, many Calgarians are passionate about this issue and how it will affect their communities.  The issue really is one of the most polarizing debates that I have seen in a long time.

 Without getting into the issue directly, I found it fascinating that many Calgarians are using Social Media to share their views on the issue.  A quick Twitter search under #yycsuite or #suiteyyc shows an amazing level of engagement on this issue by average Calgarians who may not otherwise be as vocal on civic issues.  It would appear that Mayor Nenshi's plea asking for constituents to let their Aldermen know where they stand on the issue has had some effect.  Many groups are quite active on social media sharing their views and engaging some of the Aldermen into the debate online.

 Here is an interesting link from Alderman Diane: ( Secondary Suites Survey)

http://www.aldermandiane.ca/files/Mainpage/SecondarySuitesSurveyResultsFeb22.pdf

Will the Twitter debate actually sway the way that certain Alderman vote?  I doubt it, but I love the fact that citizens can actually let their representatives know how we feel as individuals on certain issues.  I think that smart politicians can use social media to get a sense of where people stand and use this information along with town hall/community meetings to fully engage Calgarians going forward.

Here is a link to a quick interview I did on this issue for the CBC Calgary Eyeopener.

http://www.cbc.ca/eyeopener/episode/2011/02/28/tweeting-texting-and-telephoning/

Newark Mayor Cory Booker Uses Twitter To Help Stranded Motorists!

In what has to be a social media first, a politician actually used Twitter to come to the rescue of stranded motorists in his city!  I was amazed when I saw the Twitter feed from Newark, New Jersey mayor, Cory Booker this morning, in which he uses Twitter to respond various pleas for help from citizens that where stuck in the aftermath of the nasty winter storm that his the Northeast United States this weekend!   When I first read this, I could not believe what I was reading and assumed that it was a hoax until I realized that Mr.Booker's has a Twitter "verified" account. 

Here is a sample of the bizarre exchange...

Mr. Booker asks one constituent to DM him his phone number so he can help him get his car out of the snow.  He also makes a few references that make him seem like Superman, including..." I will get someone to your mom's street...stay put." and "I will dig you out, where are you?" ( he eventually appears to actually make it to the rescue and confirms..."I just dug out your car, all the best!")

In a day and age when most politicians would likely have preferred to stay in the warm confines of City Hall, I find Mr. Booker's amazing use of social media inspiring!  The fact that he used Twitter to communicate real time with people and actually was able to physically help them is incredible.

I can just see our fine mayor, Naheed Nenshi harnessing the power of Twitter in a similar manner when Calgarian's are in need in the future. 

Stephen Duckett Eating His Cookie!

  In what has become a recurring series of amazing public relations embarrassments for the Alberta government, I had to scratch my head over the latest gaff that occurred this weekend.  I know that public officials are human and have bad days, but the reaction in the video below by Alberta Health Services CEO, Stephen Duckett really takes the cake ( or cookie.....) in my opinion.

In case you have not seen the amazing video, which will likely be used in University PR classes for years to come, I have attached it below.




I lost track of how many times Mr. Duckett replies in a measly, high pitched voice "I'm eating my cookie".  If he did not want to give an interview at that moment, fine. He could have simply reminded the reporters immediately that there will be an opportunity to chat at the press conference he mentions near the end of this scrum.  Instead, he chooses to play cat and mouse with them in what turns out to be the funniest, most embarrassing video he has likely ever made.  Seriously, the man is paid over $600,000 to be the public face of the seriously ill Alberta Health Services corporation.  You would think that he would have a little more respect for his position and use some common sense.

I wonder if he was humming this old classic while avoiding the reporters?



The sad thing about this whole incident is that it reflects the cocky mentality of our provincial government and their organizations.  There never are any repercussions, so some feel they can say and do anything that they want.  Its even sadder that the public usually tends to forget about these crazy actions rather quickly.

I guess that's the the way the cookie crumbles in Alberta.

9 Month Old Political Genius Kyron Makes His Daddy Proud!

  I had to share this picture of my nine month old son Kyron doing his political research on the weekend.  Like father....like son.  I sure was a proud dad to see this!

After a hectic six months of local election coverage, I figured a laid back post was in order!


PS:  I am fortunate enough to have made the FINAL ROUND in the Canadian Blog Awards!  Can you please vote for me?  Our parent blog, Calgarypolitics.com and the Enlightened Savage needs your votes also!

Video Interview With 2010 Calgary Mayoral Candidate Ric McIver

  I had the opportunity to sit down with Ric McIver this morning for a quick blog interview.  I was surprised that we were actually able to connect, given the fact that the election is less than 3 days away!  Ric had some interesting responses on the importance of the first 60 days in office, what separates him from the other candidates and his views on some major city issues, including the SW Ring Road, airport tunnel and recreation facilities in Calgary.

 Here is the video....



I apologize for the shaky hand, but I do not pretend to be a professional at all! 

I am impressed that Ric made some time for my blog and for CalgaryPolitics.com given how hectic his schedule must be right now. I know that all of the candidates are looking forward to the vote on Monday!


Also, if you do not have any plans on election night feel free to join CalgaryPolitics.com for our election party!

http://calgarypolitics.com/2010/10/13/the-only-election-night-party-you-should-even-think-of-attending/