Sharing plenty of cheer in Pierrefonds-Dollard

Tories know how to party well, that's for sure. Yesterday's Pierrefonds-Dollard gala dinner was a blast. Firstly, the food and the company were amazing. In addition to members of the P-D EDA board and the Youth Committee, the event was attended by Barbara Pisani of Union-Montreal and, as guest of honour, Senator Brazeau. To complement the cultural and ethnic mix, the Filipino and Ukrainian community reps were present in their numbers, as well as volunteers and well-wishers hailing from a dozen national origins.

Agop Evereklian delivered an optimistic address, promising to "let loose"; nothing to hold the tabloid presses though. The political honours were done by Senator Brazeau, who focused on describing why he is Conservative despite the consensus in his community, at the time, that Algonquin interests lay in the Liberal Party. I am always amazed at the insight he is ready to give, and the ease with which one can approach him and chat. For someone as clueless on native affairs as I am, the Senator is a well of wisdom.

The Senator also took time, on the drive from Ottawa, to pen down twelve achievements and wishes of the conservative government - which guests were invited to sing out to the tune of "twelve days of Christmas". I wonder if anyone recorded it.

Laugh as we may, Conservatives have plenty to be proud of. For a minority government faced with an opportunistic and ambitious Opposition, we have survived for longer - and achieved more - than could ever be predicted. When push comes to shove, some say as early as next spring, we will be ready, willing and more than able. With candidates as Agop, and grassroots as I witnessed yesterday, we're truly deserving of being the natural governing party of Canada.