The weekend was very tough but I managed to collect all of the 100 signatures I needed and I was confirmed as a candidate on Sunday.  It reminded me that I had extra help during the last federal election (thanks to my friend out there who may be reading with a critical eye).   The deadline was Monday.  It looks like the Libertarian Party of Canada has 24 candidates confirmed so far according to the Elections Canada list.  Maybe that number will increase, I don’t know.

There are a lot of hurdles to get over and without some help, nominees find it very tough and discouraging if they don’t make it.  Definitely I am hoping that we will find more volunteers for the LP of Canada during the election so that the LP and libertarian movement can grow in Canada.   I think it is time to reach out to the other wings of the freedom movement and alter strategy vis-a-vis the traditional LP approach – not least because of the problems the U.S. LP is having.  The “leave us alone” coalition is part of our national strategy and I believe it is on the right track.  The coalition approach for attempting to address political change is where we might build bridges between people with different political philosophies.   Getting the libertarian non-aggression philosophy out there is very important but maybe we can combine that by working with others for positive political change (I don’t want to try to list all the issues – some of them are very urgent).    Ron Paul pointed the way with his recent press conference where he invited third party candidates and united on a common platform.  Of course if there is a majority government after this election, the LP can forget about electoral politics for a few years and look at other types of activism.

Added my photo.

–Alan Mercer

September 24th,

Comments for Update on Campaign

• Jean-Christophe Roux

September 26th, 2008 at 2:06 pm

Congratulations and good luck!
A Libertarian does not need to be elected to be useful. He can act as a “watchpork” and denounce every abuses committed in Ottawa.
A libertarian activist should be more a journalist than a would-be statesman that will bring freedom. The reality is that government corrupts and government is crime. It does not make sense to run for an office in order to change the system; one runs to use and abuse the system.
Libertarians should run to push radical ideas. The best scenario for a Libertarian is to be never elected but always force other candidates to change their platforms towards more freedom.
My aunt opposes libertarianism because she does not want to have to shop for a waste collector if that service were privatized; my neighbor is shocked that the city of Markham requires permit to cut a tree but loves it when the city forces the other neighbor to rebuild a barn… Once they don’t believe that anymore, Harper and Dion will obediently run on Libertarian-minded platforms. Most probably they won’t run any more because why would they run if they don’t get power and money to play with?
I wish I could endorse you Alan but I am afraid of the Third Party Election Advertising rules that could send me to jail or force me to pay some fines… Let me say, however, that I know you are a great cook and that I encourage every one to accept an invitation for diner at your table.