It seems the Igantieff campaign isn't alone when it comes to sampling the "elegant yet relaxed" ammenities offered by the Royal Vancouver Yatch Club - although the Kennedy men are doing so in a somewhat less public way. In an email circulated to key supporters, Ballard Power Systems Inc. external affairs and government business development director Stephen Kukucha invites them to attend a meeting of Kennedy campaign's British Columbia policy team at the club this coming Thursday. According to the email, the purpose of the meeting will be to discuss national and provincial policy issues, as well as prepare two to three Lotusland-specific statements for August/September. Those invited include: Kennedy campaign British Columbia youth co-chair Braden Caley; Delta-Richmond East policy chair Hatem Ela-Alim; Dale Flood, former special assistant to Industy Minister David Emerson; Seabreeze Power Corp. government relations vice-president Eugene Hodgson; Non-Partisan Association director Doug Leung, former Nanaimo-Cowichan candidate Lloyd MacIlquham; and Vancouver Quadra constituency association communications chair Rikia Saddy. The following is a complete copy of that email.

From: Kukucha, Stephen
Sent: Wednesday, July 12, 2006 7:36 PM
Subject: Gerard Kennedy B.C. Policy Team (Meeting on Thursday July 20)

I'm writing to invite you to a meeting of the B.C. Policy team on Thursday, July 20th. The meeting will be held at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club (3811 Point Grey Road, Vancouver) on the 2nd floor in the Library Room between 7:00 - 9:30 PM. I apologize for the delay in getting this group together but with Phase 1 of the campaign now over (and Gerard placing very well in B.C. with new memberships) it is time to focus on phase 2 and some of the issues and activities that will help build support amongst all party members whose support we will need to make Gerard Leader of the Liberal Party.

The objectives of the meeting, aside from getting to know each other, will be to discuss:

* National policy issues (process, priorities, strategy and current position papers)
* B.C. policy (issue identification and prioritization)
* Identifying subject matter experts in the group (to draft briefing notes and provide input to National documents)
* Preparation of briefing notes for upcoming visits by Gerard to B.C.
* Preparing 2-3 B.C. issue statements for August/September

Please let me know if you can make it to this meeting by responding to this email. As well, if there is anyone else you know who could add value to this meeting please let me know and we can consider inviting them. I look forward to seeing you next week if you can make it.

____________________________________________________________

Stephen Kukucha
Director, External Affairs and Government Business Development