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WELCOME TO POGTALK

POGG began in March 2004 as a serious discussion group among a group of politically-minded friends and acquaintances.

A breakfast meeting is held each month, except during the summer. The public issue or topic for each meeting is presented by a knowledgeable guest. The keynote speaker makes a 20 to 30 minute presentation. The talk is followed by a free-flowing question and answer session of about 60 minutes.

A condition of admission to a POGG meeting is that all attendees agree that each meeting is in camera and that no public attribution is to be made of any remarks, comments and discussion content, and that any related papers, documents, etc. produced at a meeting will similarly not be attributed. From time to time, a speaker will waive this condition.

In 2007 POGG privately responded to a request by Justice Gomery for input on the Adscam Inquiry. Later that year POGG created an ad hoc committee that drafted a Statement of Canadian Values. This Statement was later incorporated into an extensive report produced by the 2008 POGG Immigration Study Committee.

In 2008 this report was presented to the Hon. Diane Finley, Minister of Immigration. In 2009 this Report was attached to a second report on immigration that was presented to the Hon. Jason Kenney, Minister of Immigration.

The result was that POGG had moved beyond internal discussion to publicly expressing its informed opinions. The mission of POGG has broadened and may now be described as:

• Primary: To broaden the knowledge and understanding of POGG attendees in regard to public affairs and issues, and
• Secondary: To support the development and maintenance of peace, order and good government in Canada through the creation of ad hoc committees to study and comment on selected public issues.

To reflect this, POGG created a logo and adopted the motto "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter."

The POGG Breakfasts meetings continue to be the place where there is informed discourse between knowledgeable special guests and the other attendees - a place where everyone can be comfortable expressing and discussing opinions and ideas. Attendees do not have to support any political party or personage. All that is required is a serious interest in dialogue on public affairs and a strong belief in 'peace, order and good government'.

The president and founder is Harry Weldon. His task is to maintain a list of persons to be invited to meetings, to search out speakers and topics, to set, administer and direct the meeting programs, and to encourage active participation by all.

Page created March 25, 2009 | Last edited March 1, 2010