Rodger Cuzner Delivers Emotional Speech About Servicom Employees?

Joe Ward Follow Me

Posted this 2018-12-12 6:59 PM AST (updated 2018-12-28 8:50 PM AST)

Ladies and gentlemen, citizens and families of Cape Breton:

By the time you watch the video below, it'll become very clear that the title of my post isn't accurate today. But I do hope it may be effective. Specifically, I hope it's effective in drawing a sharp contrast between what we need and what we're getting from our local leaders. I personally don't believe that they fully appreciate the severity of our problems because they don't experience them.

It has obviously been a very difficult week for Cape Breton, specifically for the employees of Servicom and their families. Many community members have come forward to donate or help in several different ways. Politicians joined those confronting the issue quickly and some things are underway to provide assistance. But the job isn't done. If Servicom re-opened tomorrow with full back pay and double the Christmas bonus promised, I think we'd still all agree that Cape Breton as a whole still has some very serious economic and social challenges to stay afloat, if not find a way to overcome them long-term.

While Servicom's sudden closure is the most recent devastating news, it's not the only disappointment our region has experienced. Two weeks ago, the Cape Breton Post lost 14 jobs. Two years ago, we lost 125 at the Sydney Saputo plant. And we continue to suffer from double-digit unemployment, and high child poverty, regardless of how many times our two MPs mention the new child tax credit (as though the job ended there).

I'm not here to spoil anyone's fun. I'm not here to agitate anyone whose blood runs Liberal or thinks of Cuzner as though he were the captain of a hockey team, instead of a Member of Parliament. Full-frontal partisans are as damaging to democracy as the apathetic non-voters, and arguably more so.

Though there will be a tendency to reject the notion, I assure you that I too have a very well-developed sense of humour. But I fundamentally believe that the festive Christmas party fun needs to be had at... the festive Christmas parties, not before Parliament. I want every second of speaking time afforded to each of our MPs used to benefit Cape Breton in some way. Our island has so many very funny people. I've known too many hilarious folks for it to be just a coincidence. Although we all enjoy a great laugh, sometimes we need our leaders to be leaders, not court jesters. If you like federal political humour, sure, Cuzner delivers, and I'll help give him a wider audience. Here you are:

If, however, MP Cuzner continues to believe that we don't actually have that big of a problem with child poverty or thinks it only really affects First Nations communities, then I guess we should expect more stand up comedy at Parliament in the future. Mr. Cuzner's family will be well provided for this Christmas. I just hope he understands that many homes will be stricken with stress, sometimes hunger, sometimes a sense of humiliation of their circumstances and what they cannot offer their children.

I'm willing to trade a few chuckles for those speeches that give you goosebumps, the hair tingles on your neck, and you realize that someone really cares, and is pouring their everything into fighting for us. I think we need that level of commitment. I think we're overdue for its delivery.

NOTE: The views expressed above are my own and do not represent lokol (goCapeBreton.com). Read more

Posted by Joe Ward
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Richard Collis Follow Me 2018-12-12 7:28 PM AST Reply 6 0 Bravo. Well said. His annual poem does nothing constructive for Cape Breton. 18 yrs of poems. It has been on his and Mark Eykings watch of 18yrs that child and seniors poverty levels have risen so much. 18 yrs of increased unemployment , homelessness, and poverty. 18 years and nothing has yet to be done to solve the issues. That kind of service does not earn the privilege of being re-elected. We did not elect Cuzner and Eyking to go to Ottawa to save the country or the world,they were elected to fight for our concerns and issues. A poem just don't cut it. I suggest that maybe Cuzner should read the poem to some homeless people, or the Servcom employees or the child and senior poverty stricken and see if they feel much better after hearing Cuzner's annual (18 yrs ) Parliament poem. Then ask those people if they feel much better after hearing Cuzner's poem. [comment deleted] Posted 2018-12-13 2:42 PM AST
Michael MacNeil Follow Me 2018-12-12 8:43 PM AST Reply 1 0 and I'll help give him a wider audience. Here you are:
John A. Ardelli Follow Me 2018-12-12 9:25 PM AST Reply 6 0 The idea of the clever poem itself doesn't bother me. Hell, a humorous poem can often help get word out about complex, difficult issues in a way easier to swallow by the average person who may not fully understand the complexities of political office. What bothers me is the poem makes NO MENTION WHATSOEVER of the ServiCom closure. I am far from a political expert; in fact, I tend to avoid politics entirely, when possible. However, even to myself, a complete neophyte when it comes to politics, the loss of 600+ jobs should be an issue as obvious as an aluminum bat to the crotch. This is the man who's supposed to represent Cape Breton, and he doesn't even MENTION it in his clever little poem... I mean, seriously, just how out of touch is this guy?! Don't get me wrong. I'm well aware Mr. Cuzner is only one man; he can't work miracles. Even if he was giving the ServiCom closure issue his full attention things wouldn't change overnight, but I find it disquieting, to put it politely, that he doesn't even seem to be AWARE of it, if this poem is any indication... Even I know a politician can't afford to be this out of touch with issues in his region. That is (or should be) just plain common sense. I don't know what this guy's agenda is, but whatever it is he certainly doesn't seem to have the best interests of Cape Bretoners at heart... 😒 Joe Ward My Post Follow Me 2018-12-12 10:01 PM AST Reply 4 0 You're right, John. This is a big pet peeve of mine because it happens every year. Though Cape Breton has continually been in a downturn for decades, I agree with what you suggested: this year the need for sensitivity and recognition on that federal stage should have been as obvious as an aluminum bat to the crotch. Lynn Hussey Follow Me 2018-12-13 11:13 AM AST Reply 2 0 WELL said John Ardelli..I'm far from being 'political' and maybe that's part of the problem over the years, too many of us weren't speaking up before we hit a crisis but the cat's out of the bag now and as beaten down and stressed as I am over the situation, I'm going to Fight ...NOW we need ideas..anyone?
Mike Johnson Follow Me 2018-12-13 9:05 AM AST Reply 3 0 It is pathetic how poorly represented CB is by the majority of our elected 'representatives'. Cuzner my be clever, but neither he nor Eyking have accomplished anything of significance in their joint 18 years, and now they have both effectively retired, Eyking conspicuously so. Cuzner's meeting with the NSEF is notable for his pathetic attempt to justify his existence by reiterating the so-called accomplishments of the Liberal party, some of which is inaccurate, most of which consists of 'hand outs' and funding to influence voters and little of which he would even recall.
Nova Scotians for Equalization Fairness Follow Me 2018-12-13 12:07 PM AST Reply 3 0 This, unfortunately, is reality for government representation here in Cape Breton. We have seen these 2 MP's in Ottawa now for almost 40 years combined and look at the state of our Island. What have they done for us? What I would like for the 2 MP's here to do is stand up in Parliament and demand that government officials in Halifax stop breaking the laws of Canada. The Constitution of Canada is very clear on what "equalization" is to used for and when we bring this matter to the attention of Cuzner and Eyking, nothing is done. All we want these 2 men to do is arrange a meeting with the Justice Minister and the Finance Minister in Ottawa and don't worry boys, we will do the rest. We, the NSEF, will explain to both Ministers how the Province of Nova Scotia is breaking the laws, Constitution, Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Human Rights Act, etc. You both can just sit back and write your poems and twiddle your thumbs. We will stand up and do your job that you are being paid handsomely to do. We hope you enjoyed reading your poem this year Rodger Cuzner because it might be your last. We don't need a Court Jester, we need a fighter...... Dr. Maroun
Charles Sampson Follow Me 2018-12-13 7:42 PM AST Reply 4 0 Cuzner’s yearly Christmas poem may be an entertaining moment but the more serious issue is he and Eyking have sat quietly all their years as their community continues to be denied its share of federal Equalization payments year-after-year. This issue will reach a critical point in less than a year with the next federal election. This will be the time people can express their disapproval of the performance of both Cuzner and Eyking’s style of representation. Surely after approximately 20 years each in our federal parliament, it is time to elect different people if we expect to change our chance to survive and be sustainable as a community. Failure to do so will not be Cuzner or Eyking’s fault but the ones who continue to support our continued economic decline.
[comment deleted] Posted 2018-12-14 9:09 AM AST