It is clear that Bill C-23, Harper's so called Fair Elections Act will pass pretty much as is sometime this summer. No matter what minor concessions they make will be but for show, there is just too much in this bill that subverts democracy for anything short of its complete and total death to suffice.
The opposition parties can do little to nothing to stop this runaway train wreck, they can rise in Question Period all they want, they can point out the near unanimous panning of the bill til they turn blue in the face, they will not stop it.
It seems despite all the coverage in the media that most Canadians don't really have a grasp of just how damaging Bill C-23 truly is, to that end the opposition must ramp up their efforts.
They must become obstructive, use every procedural trick in the book to turn up the heat. They must do this though only in lead up to the one action they must take to bring the fight against this assault on democracy to a head and thrust it squarely into the public's conscience....BOYCOTT PARLIAMENT.
Anything short of this would be cowardice and an act of complicity. The opposition does not get to play nice, play within the rules and say they tried, not this time, not with this government and certainly not with this bill.
Go big or go home, stand up for Canadians or be judged harshly by history.
Is there precedent for this? Sounds like fun, especially the pundits' heads exploding part. :)
ReplyDeleteNot that I'm aware of , certainly not in Canada and yes heads wouldl explode quite spectacularly but that would be the point of the exercise. It would be impossible for even the most disengaged to ignore.
DeleteWell this should fire them up a bit :
ReplyDelete"A national investigation into allegations of dirty political calls has been under way for more than a year. Elections Canada had planned to wrap up that investigation by March 31. On Thursday, spokeswoman Diane Benson declined to say whether it is ongoing.
That report has been postponed until after the 2015 election because of the introduction of the Conservatives’ election bill.
The agency would not say when if ever it will report on the national robocalls investigation."
Well reading your post on the subject Another reason to fight the Fair Elections Act surely fired me up
DeleteExplain this ..
ReplyDeleteA national investigation into allegations of dirty political calls has been under way for more than a year. Elections Canada had planned to wrap up that investigation by March 31. On Thursday, spokeswoman Diane Benson declined to say whether it is ongoing.
The agency was expected to include information about that investigation in a “compliance and enforcement mechanisms” report to Parliament this spring.
Benson said the agency has decided not to report until after the next election.
“In light of the government’s announcement in the fall that it would introduce comprehensive legislative reform, Elections Canada decided to postpone the general enforcement report until after the next general election,” she said. “This was necessary not only to focus our attention and resources on the announced reform, but also of the difficulty of engaging stakeholders simultaneously on a parallel initiative.”
There is but one explanation, the ever timid EC has been completely cowed by Harper and his henchmen
DeleteI have been wondering what would happen if when a vote upon this bill came up ALL the opposition simply walked out, would the Cons ignore the absence of almost half the MPs as they normally do and would passing a bill under such circumstances be legal. It may well come to this, the concept needs further research and should be promoted as a last ditch effort to stop this effoirt to subvert democracy.
ReplyDeleteIt only takes 20 MPs plus the Speaker to form a quorum so yes passage of the bill would be legal yet totally lacking in legitimacy. We have little choice but to go nuclear at this point.
DeleteI wonder what would happen if the Governor General refused to sign the bill once it passes.
ReplyDeleteThe GG is a paper tiger, while true the office has great paper it has been rendered by convention nothing more than a ceremonial post. No GG would take such a bold step, certainly not this one
Deletehi Kev...this is excellent. The parties can't go on playing the game while our democracy is being stolen. We need big, bold, dramatic gestures to make the point and alert as many Canadians as possible. Anything less just amounts to fiddling while Rome burns.
ReplyDeleteWhat choice do we have at this point my friend, none that I see.
ReplyDeleteOnce having taken this drastic step I would like to see all four opposition parties join together to hold a series of citizen assemblies across the nation to hear from Canadians what we wish to see in the area of reform.
.. there's another scenario.. That being, Elections Canada understands the desperation of The Harper Party.. because of their investigation.. and sees the endgame. The Sona trial may or will reveal publicly.. what EC now knows. Duffy, Nigel Wright, Wallin represent dangerous revelations. When faced with jail or disgrace do we think these people will take one for Harper. I think not. This is all history in the making.. and as I have suggested elsewhere, Stephen Harper and his complicit cowards, both elected and unelected.. are cementing htemselves into the prison of their own actions and legacy.
ReplyDeleteA extremely close political associate of Harper said 'this will not end well'
Well.. all of Canada is getting a real taste of what scumbags The Harper Party really are..
Count on Duffy to roll for sure if charged and while he isn't a part of this mess so too will Carson
DeleteWhen C23 passes, all the 2011 robocall stuff will then become legal. Will the Govnt have any reason to continue Michael Sona trial.
DeleteI`m more worried about the Incumbent party appointing Poll Supervisors at the Ballot Box level. Will they have power to judge if my 39 pieces of ID allow to vote
You can't polish a turd.......
ReplyDeleteTime for all Canadians and MPs to grow some balls and raise total hell. Time to show up at Con MP offices and show them what happens went we get pissed. Time for both the Liberal and NDP parties to vacate Parliament until this bill is trashed.
ReplyDeleteCGHZD
I think we need to take it further than that... Show up at the poll and insist on your right to vote on the basis of your affirmation that you are a resident in that poll. Refuse to leave until given a ballot. We need to demand that our rights are respected. Make them arrest you, if necessary. Under no circumstances should we leave unless physically removed. My right to vote is guaranteed in the constitution and I will not let these ignorant clowns degrade that right.
ReplyDeleteIt strikes me that not one politician in Canada is worthy of being called a leader, and calling on any of them to effectively oppose these unconstitutional measures is a waste of time.
Voters don't cheat, politicians do.