HOC |

HOC Campaign

This is some of the content from the website of my Harper or Canada? You can’t have both! campaign of 2015.

This data from the web site now stands as a testament to what ONE person can do with ONE message and a whole lot of passion in love for her country to facilitate much needed change.

What began as a billboard campaign slated for Nanoose Bay evolved into something bigger that reached many more people: constant action and networking.

Being a go-girl

From a bold and humble beginning the message was embraced across the nation via 20+ Facebook Groups, which is where most of the accolades originated.

As well, I created 300 Twitter-size ‘Hey Harper’ rants that can be customized for any pompous pig-headed politician just by changing the name.

download 300 Hey Harper rants

It garnered tremendous endorsement from both citizens and activist organizations alike and gave me a reputation as a real ‘Go Girl’.

The HoC campaign has also produced something of a small business enterprise that has performed admirably in representing all Canadians.

Campaign action steps

Creating and maintaining the brand includes (FundRazr 120+ updates):

Raise $1200 on Fundrazr
Buy and host the harperorcanada.ca domain and set up the website
Become a registered Third Party Advertiser with Elections Canada
Be endorsed by two Council of Canadian chapters: Mid-Island & Victoria
More recently be hailed for its work by the national CoC office, as well as other chapters across the country
Set up three online stores for multitudes of HoC merchandise and coordinate with a local merchant to print T-shirts for a good price
Produce two informative publications relating to democracy:
- Sheep Talk Toon: Lambert Rides Along for Democracy (tri-fold leaflet)
- Crash Course in Democracy (18-page booklet)
Engage in a local radio talk show with two CoC colleagues for a radio interview
Inspire folks to drive around with the HoC slogan on their vehicle and use it in protest rallies like 350.org did in their We>Tar Sands Rally
Represent the HoC campaign at community events:
- Canada Day
- WE>Tar Sands Rally
- Harperman Singalong
- Vote Together Day of Action
Acquire signage:
- 10′ x 3′ HoC YCHB banner
- 30″ x 24″ car top sign that is now mounted on a Geo Metro (Flower)
Activities that will run until Election Day:
- Volunteer driving around town in Flower every chance he gets
- HoC Banner rallies in concert with the Council of Canadians (CoC) ‘Go Vote’ campaign: first one was Oct 9th

Comments & Endorsements

This is what folks are really thinking and saying out loud about this billboard campaign.

Comments

Finally, someone who has done more than just rant about Harper.
It really says it all, doesn’t it?
Truth is so very powerful, and so is good writing! The pen is mightier than the sword — kudos to whoever came up with it!
That will go on all my picket signs!
Love this. Great campaign slogan….and so true.
Love this. What a message!!! Bravo to the creator.
VERY powerful want to see lots of these signs everywhere in about July.
I have the billboard as my main pic on my page.
Have been hoping someone would do this!
I’m happy to support this.
Thanks so much for getting this out and raising awareness.
This needs to be a t-shirt, if it isn’t already.
This is so true, I sure hope the Canadians know it.
You got it exactly!
Good billboard!
Thanks for your work against Harper!
I like your idea… and can see it would be effective. Lots of traffic read those billboards.
A very creative idea worthy of support. Billboards such as this one will serve as conversation starters in regard to a positive direction for this country after the next election.
Brilliant message!
Great idea! I want to see one in rural Alberta too.
I think it’s a terrific campaign. I hope you get all your funding asap and can double the exposure!
Enough said!
Great Idea…Please share, and donate.
Fecking brilliant.

CoC Endorsements

This will be a superb billboard and we are hoping it will go Canada wide. – Mid Island (Nanaimo)

It’s a great idea worthy of support and hopefully might get traction nationally. – Victoria
I think it reinforces the evidence of this theme of Harper versus the survival of Canada. – Moose Jaw

Media & Events

July 4th at 1:30pm – WE > TAR SANDS rally at Maffeo-Sutton Park in Nanaimo hosted by 350.org

July 1st at 11am – Canada Day Celebrations at Maffeo-Sutton Park in Nanaimo. Here is my table with some of the activities.

Local photographic artist donated a beautiful framed & mounted photo for a free draw that a young boy won
I brought my solar system mobile to show kids where we are located, and strangely most of them knew the names of all the planets

I had a handout with crayons in a plastic bag ‘Colour Canada Your Way”

June 30th at 11am – CHLY Radio Interview with Suzanne Gregory

This was AWESOME!

Timeline summary

2:00 What started the idea of a billboard?
9:00 Is it legal for someone other than a representative of a political party to campaign during a federal election? & What is the Third Party provision about?
16:45 With all of that money going into infomercials, what are your thoughts about a lot of it being taxpayers money?
17:45 What does Canada mean to you? & What is it that we will be choosing when we choose Canada?
30:00 Break
33:00 Canada Day table.
34:45 What are our expectations of a Prime Minister of Canada in general?
42:00 Are there myths around the Conservative party regarding religion and spending?
46:00 What has Harper done to work against what we value as Canadians?
54:30 Where can one find information on supporting the billboard campaign?

Interview description

This discussion from the day before Canada Day takes a look at a number of the issues that are important for this fall’s federal election.

First, Diane Babcock explains the reasons behind the wording of her proposed billboard, buttons and t-shirts emblazoned with “Harper or Canada: You Can’t Have Both” – her “third party” grassroots, crowd-funded campaign registered with Elections Canada.

Diane is joined by Bill McCallum and Jordan Ellis of the Mid Island Council of Canadians, who offer their perspectives on what Canada is, what Canadians expect from a Prime Minister, and more.

Closing statement

“We are not powerless! We have a voice. We will be heard.”