Ajay Puri, Braeden Caley, Andriy Mishchenko, Glyn Lewis, Co-founders
Michael Watts, Canadian Communication Coordinator, Obama/Biden ‘08 Campaign
Sean Lauer, Co-chair, Democrats Abroad - Vancouver Chapter

For the first time ever the US House of Representatives passed a bill that allows a public health insurance option to compete with the private [219 yay, vs 212 nay]. Months of hard work has paid off. Having this bill passed is a first step for Americans to have affordable health care. 32 million more Americans will be covered and health insurance companies cannot DENY people coverage!

Canadians for Obama would like to congratulate our neighbours to the South on this amazing achievement.

We’d love to hear your thoughts. Does the bill do enough for the American people? Do you think America will ever have Universal health care? What are your thoughts on all the anti-abortion amendments the GOP introduced?

Next up: making progress on climate change!!

Yes we can,

Ajay Puri, on behalf of the C4O organizing team

You are inspiring a worldwide generation of peace keepers!

Washington Post Coverage

 BBC Coverage

The people of America need our help. This past November the world watched with great anticipation as Barack Hussein Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States.

Many of us hoped this historic moment signaled a significant change in US domestic and foreign policy. Others believed in the fundamental idea behind Obama’s nomination and presidential campaign: to move on social and environmental issues - and to re-engage people in our democracy - we need to embrace a new style of political leadership. Leadership born of respect, empowerment, and inclusion.

Right now the Obama administration is trying to bring forward real and substantial HEALTH CARE INSURANCE REFORM. And it is desperately needed.

47 million people in America lack health care insurance coverage. It is the first piece to a larger agenda for social, environmental, and economic progress. The Republican Party and a network of impassioned conservative activists have been highly successful in drowning out and distorting what insurance reform is all about: Reducing Costs, Increasing Choice, and Expanding Coverage. The Republican strategy? Oppose all reform, spread miss-information, incite hate and distrust, build on-the-ground opposition, vote down legislation, break President Obama, and win back the White House/Senate. If this legislation fails the greater agenda for change is under serious threat. We need to help citizens rise above the fray while providing facts and honest information.  

OBAMA AND OUR AMERICAN NEIGHBOURS NEED OUR HELP.

Over the coming weeks we will being using tools available from "Organizing for America" to call Americans to help them better understand what his plan is really all about.

As we did to help Obama get elected, we will be organizing "Call your Southern neighbour" parties across Canada. Together, we can help our fellow Americans get public health care.

During 2007 and 2008 hundreds of Canadians flocked to the US to help Obama get nominated and elected. We knocked on doors, engaged volunteers, and reached out to people one phone call at a time.

Join us in the coming weeks to help make the promise of change real.

To get involved please contact us

WESTERN organizers:
Glyn Lewis, Ajay Puri

EASTERN organizer:
Katie Skinner

With HOPE,

Canadians for Obama Steering Committee

MORE INFO AT:

• Americans living in Canada
• OBAMA HQ
• WhiteHouse
• OBAMA VIDEO

Thank you so much for being part of this movement we are trying to grow for Obama and all Canadians!

We cleaned, painted, and worked together to help our friend Paul with CIAI get set up for his Opening later this Spring.
 

And special thanks to the event organizers Clement Apaak, Michael Watts and Aman Bains - great job rallying the troops!

In the news: New Westminister News Leader Video | Article

Stay tuned for events to come every 19th of the month-

Much love,

Ajay Puri
Co-Founder
 

EVEN OBAMA HIMSELF THANKED CANADIANS FOR THEIR HELP IN HIS CAMPAIGN - CNN LINK
 

(more…)

Interview Transcript [Direct CBC link]
Posted by The National on February 17, 2009 09:00 PM

Interview of President of the United States Barack Obama by Peter Mansbridge, CBC News.

This interview was conducted in the Map Room of the White House on Tuesday, February 17, 2009
 

Peter Mansbridge: Mr. President, thank you for doing this. Canadians are very excited about your trip.

President Barack Obama: Thank you.

(more…)

This choice is considered an honour as the ex-president Bush had visited Mexico as his first country of choice.

Canadians for Obama will be attending this monumental moment - PLANNED EVENTS NOW CONFIRMED.

EVENTS | BUSES

EVENTS for everyone to attend:

THURSDAY
(1) Canadians for Obama:  A celebration of President Obama’s visit in words and music

Thu. Feb. 19 - 1:15 to 2:15 pm
in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church  140 Laurier Ave. W. (Elgin & Laurier)
Contact Ken Sherman (Canadians for Obama Regional Organizer - Ontario)

(2) A "Yes We Span" bridge walk

Thu. Feb. 19 - 2:15 to 3:15 pm
from Elgin & Laurier east to the bridge across the Rideau Canal
Democrats Abroad Ottawa-Gatineau:  A "Yes We Span" bridge walk from Elgin & Laurier east on Laurier across the bridge across the Rideau
Canal to Nicholas Street/Transitway, with a 10-minute stop at the Human Rights Monument.
Contact: Carl Stieren
 

(more…)

Interested in sharing your story as well or getting in touch with Mr. Caley? email us

Carrollton, Texas - March 3 2008

For me, a remarkable string of campaign trips started because of a casual conversation - a conversation between good friends about how a certain aspiring American leader was offering and in many ways exemplifying so much of what we sought from our own politics. I never thought I’d meet that man, talk to him, and certainly not travel tens of thousands of miles to campaign for him, repeatedly(!) - but in 2008, I did - and the experiences I had along the way, and the cherished memories I hold from them, will stay with me forever.

Years before he would eventually become President of the United States, Barack Obama began to fascinate us. He inspired many in 2004, with his call for an end to the steep divisions that have - for far, far too long - defined politics not only in the United States, but throughout much of the world. He demanded unity, and he demanded better from his fellow citizens and leaders.

As a candidate for President, his demands began to resonate more strongly with my friends and I. His story was so compelling, his promise so exciting, and his courage so necessary for a troubled and violent world that we quite simply decided we had to be a part of ensuring Barack Obama and his ideals could win.

In a spur of the moment decision, we packed three carloads full of enthusiastic Canadians and campaigned for the final push in the Washington Caucuses, way back in February of 2008. We phoned relentlessly, that first night. We made posters, we folded pamphlets, prepared walk packs, set up caucus station leaders’ packs and had an absolute blast. We were in Snohomish County, on the edge of Everett. I thought, going down to work on this brief campaign, that it would be a first and last quick foray into the inner machinations of a one-of-a-kind Presidential campaign, but what we discovered when we won that on Saturday Caucus in February - the day Barack won his first state after ‘Super Tuesday,’ - was that this was not so much a campaign as a movement. Excited, inspired, and motivated by how easy it could be to help bring about such important change, we then became some of that’s movement’s most active footsoldiers.

I campaigned in Washington, Texas, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Oregon, and Virginia. We took some big groups and some small ones - all inspired young Canadians (with the exception of Kaila Ann from Snohomish!!!) from across the full spectrum of Canadian political affiliations - and some who had never been involved in any sort of politics ever before.
(more…)