2010-08-23
Duane Filson Returns as Liberal Candidate
By: Duane Filson, of Gravelbourg

Duane Filson was acclaimed the Liberal candidate for the federal riding of Cypress Hills - Grasslands at a nomination meeting held in Gravelbourg on July 23. Filson, a farmer from Woodrow, was the Liberal candidate in the 2008 federal election and was the only Liberal candidate to increase his party’s percentage of the popular vote from the previous election.

Ralph Goodale joined the party faithful and called Filson the kind of exceptional community leader who will make a highly respected Member of Parliament.

Filson, a strong supporter of the Canadian Wheat Board, expects to face David Anderson again as the candidate for the Conservatives. Asked how he might improve his showing in the next federal election, Filson replied, “Besides presenting a clear choice on the issue of the single desk Wheat Board, there are three things that we have to do to elect a Liberal in Cypress Hills – Grasslands. Though we fought hard in the last campaign, we must run a campaign with a stronger organization, with representatives from across the riding. Second, we must have a solid national platform to complement the forward-looking leadership of Michael Ignatieff. His Liberal Express is giving Canadians from across Canada a clear indication of what kind of caring, responsive person he is. Third, as the candidate, I have to get out to communities throughout the constituency. I plan to attend several events before the summer is over, and I will continue to crisscross the riding from now until the election is held.”

When asked what policies the Liberals have put in place for the next election that will attract Cypress Hills – Grasslands voters in the next election, Filson responded, “From his first scrum as leader of the Liberal party, Michael Ignatieff spoke about closing the divide between urban and rural Canada. His policies range from supporting volunteer firefighters to writing down student loans for doctors and nurses who move to rural Canada. He has promised farm leaders that new business risk management programs will be developed from the ground up. He has met with farm leaders from Saskatchewan and he will respond to their suggestions when he becomes Prime Minister.”

Filson was reluctant to make any rash promises, but he told those gathered for the nomination he would promise three things, when he is elected Member of Parliament for Cypress Hills – Grasslands. “I promise to represent the citizens of southwest Saskatchewan fairly and responsibly. I promise to listen to everyone’s concerns, not just those who agree with me. And I will never forget where I came from.”

The candidate explained why he was willing to carry the Liberal banner into the next federal campaign. “Stephen Harper has shown his disregard for democratic principles by proroguing Parliament, not once, but twice, so that he can continue in his position. I see how his government fought so hard to stifle the free speech of Canadian Wheat Board directors, and I think back to his bogus barley plebiscite. These are only a few examples of Stephen Harper’s contempt for the democratic rights of Canadians. In contrast, I think Michael Ignatieff has the potential to be one of the great Prime Ministers of all time. I think he is now ready to lead a caring, progressive, yet responsible government.”

Filson, reeve of the Wood River RM, will begin his quest for a seat in Parliament immediately with a visit to the northwest corner of the riding.
2008-09-22
Filson Campaign Office Grand Opening
By: Site Admin, of Swift Current

Duane Filson, the Liberal candidate for Cypress Hills-Grasslands constituency, is an honest hands-on individual who sees that things get done.

Recently Filson was in attendance and helping his campaign team set up his office in the Wheatland Mall in Swift Current. The office is now open, but an official grand opening of the office will be held September 22. Many people entering the mall took time to visit with Filson during the setup.

Filson was very encouraged by the positive comments he heard from people, most of whom felt a change was in order in the Cypress Hills-Grasslands riding including those who noted they had voted Conservative in past elections. The local public’s mood for change is reflective of what is beginning to surface nationally - at least one recent national poll indicated an increasing desire by the Canadian public for a change away from the Harper government.

Filson believes he is the local alternative, and looks forward to strong support at the polls on October 14th.
2008-09-11
SW Booster Announces Duane Filson
By: South West Booster, of Swift Current

Duane Filson has been in the starting blocks as the Cypress Hills-Grasslands Liberal candidate since being nominated in April 2007.

Filson, who has extensively travelled the riding over the past year, said he has heard a number of concerns loud and clear. “The issue that I heard most often was probably the Wheat Board issue? Their dealings with the Wheat Board have not been particularly fair. The Barley Plebiscite was of course weighted to make sure that they couldn’t lose it.”

Filson said the government has demonstrated their controlling nature while trying to narrow democratic function for Canadians. “For me that’s the biggest issue. That’s why I’m running in the first place. What kind of government is it that puts out a 200 page handbook describing how to disrupt parliamentary committees. It’s incredible.”

Filson, a Woodrow area grain and cattle farmer, noted that agriculture issues remain a key focus for the region.

“Down in my area the big problem has been drought and the gophers and dealing with all of those problems. That’s still ongoing and this is the fourth year of our crops being affected in our area.”

Filson admits there has been some concern voiced surrounding the Liberals Green Shift proposal.

“Since Stephane Dion presented the Green Shift, the shift from taxing income and investments to taxing carbon emissions, that shift it’s a concern to people of this area and rightly so. I already have written letters and had discussions with Stephan about those concerns. I’d like to think that some of what I said resulted in him giving farmers the opportunity to get some money back through carbon sinks. It is a program that is not in its final stages by any means. I think that we can continue to present our concerns in a very precise way, with our reasons that are good, we’ll have success in making that a better program for Southwest Saskatchewan.”

He noted the election may come down to which party the public feels is best suited to pace the national economy.

“Canadians better be ready to look at the record of these guys. Don’t listen to what they say their record is, look at what the actual record is. Then we might actually select, as a nation, a government that is much more forthright and honest with Canadians than these guys are,” Filson said.

“In Saskatchewan, Harper is hoping we will forget about his failed $800 million equalization promise and his move to tax income trusts.” 2008-09-07
Conservatives Running Scared
By: CHGL Liberal Assiciation, of Online

Duane Filson, a Woodrow area grain and cattle farmer, is the Liberal candidate for Cypress Hills – Grasslands in the upcoming federal election. When asked why Stephen Harper was forcing an election at this time, Filson responded, “Harper is breaking his own law mandating a set election date for the fall of 2009 for one reason – he thinks he can win now, but will have no chance as issues move forward.


“Harper knows that the scandals of his two and a half year term in office are about to come to a head. The Maxime Bernier affair, the Schreiber/Mulroney $300,000 cash payoff, the taped Chuck Cadman offer by Stephen Harper, the in-and-out scandal in defiance of Elections Canada’s spending rules, that implicates David Anderson, our Member of Parliament, and Harper’s continuing attacks on the Canadian Wheat Board, despite court rulings, are all indications of the failure of this government to be accountable.


“In Saskatchewan, Harper is hoping we will forget about his failed $800 million equalization promise and his move to tax income trusts.


“Add to that Harper’s handling of the economy as it totters toward recession, and his government’s irresponsible tax cuts, that threaten the hard-earned federal surpluses of Ralph Goodale and Paul Martin, and you have a Prime Minister running scared.”


But what would a Liberal government achieve if it were to be elected?


“First of all, we would have a Prime Minister who brings decency and integrity to the office. Secondly, the outstanding Liberal team of Michael Ignatief, Ralph Goodale, Ken Dryden, Bob Rae, Gerrard Kennedy, and others, will form a cabinet Canadians can be proud of, instead of one dominated by a tyrant who quite rightly will not allow Conservative MP’s to express their own far right opinions.


“Also, a Stephane Dion led government will support the rights of women, minorities and First Nations. In essence, a Liberal government will put an honest reliable face on government that has been missing lately.


“Perhaps most importantly, Stephane Dion is committed to an environmental plan that taxes those things we want less of, carbon emissions, and reduces taxes on those things we want more of, income and investments. The Green Shift is a plan in progress and I commit to taking the concerns of residents of Cypress Hills – Grasslands to the discussion table.


“I believe we must think about the Canada we envision ten, twenty, and even fifty years down the road, and must govern to make sure we meet our goals. Of course we must deal with events as they arise, but our eyes must always be on the future, and our actions must represent our vision.”