The title of this post sounds implausible, but it’s true. You may already know this because it’s a dominant social media meme in Canada these days. Stephen Harper was a Reform Party MP in 1996. At the time, the Liberals had a majority in the House of Commons—a majority they
Continue readingTag: C-23
Cowichan Conversations: Six pieces of ID and still not allowed to vote-Elizabeth May
Richard Hughes-Political Blogger The controversy swirling around the democratic right to vote has been increasing in its velocity. Canadians are recognizing that this plan targets voters who are unlikely to vote for the Conservatives. This abomination is right out of US Republican Karl Rove’s playbook and has no place in
Continue readingSaskboy's Abandoned Stuff: UnFair Elections Act
Sent by email to pierre.poilievre@parl.gc.ca Dear Mr. Poilievre: I’m very disappointed with the proposed Fair Elections Act. I agree with experts like the CEO who says Canadians will be disenfranchised if your plans to change ID requirements go ahead. Having assisted with past elections, I think your bill is awful,
Continue readingSaskboy's Abandoned Stuff: ConCalls: Satire and Analysis Becomes Reality in #RoboCon
Ever wonder why Elec Canada didn't raid CPC hq. On robocalls? I know I do. See ipolitics @HarrisAuthor #cdnpoli— Michael Harris (@HarrisAuthor) March 24, 2014 In early March 2012, I asked the same, putting the question to major political parties and Elections Canada. “Why doesn’t Elections Canada just check the
Continue readingThe Cracked Crystal Ball II: Bill C-23 – Stealing Democracy Part IX: The Shackles On Elections Canada Advertising
Ever since Bill C-23 was tabled, I have been baffled by the fact that the bill so viciously curtails the ability of Elections Canada to advertise and communicate with voters in S18: 18(1) The Chief Electoral Officer may provide the public, both inside and outside Canada, with information on the
Continue readingThe Cracked Crystal Ball II: Bill C-23: Part VI: The Theft Of Democracy – Muzzling The Chief Electoral Officer
Wading through C-23 is feeling more and more like trying to pick one's way through a minefield. Every step, you half expect to find something that is going to go "click" … followed by a very loud bang. Today, I bring you what the Conservatives are doing to the ability
Continue readingThe Cracked Crystal Ball II: Stealing Democracy: Part IV – Marc Mayrand Responds
When it comes to reviewing Bill C-23, as much as I enjoy exploring the labyrinthine language of legalese, I am also interested in what the current head of Elections Canada has to say – after all he’s spent the better part of the last decade in that space. Pierre Poilievre,
Continue readingThe Cracked Crystal Ball II: Bill C-23: The Theft Of Democracy Part III
I continue my analysis of Bill C-23 in depth, largely out of the same horror and curiosity that goes with looking at a traffic accident. Except in this case, it more to shed light upon the various little poison pills and land mines that The Harper Government is slipping into
Continue readingThe Cracked Crystal Ball II: Bill C-23: The Theft Of Canada’s Democracy Part II
I have not by any means finished my analysis of this bill and what it is setting up. However, a lot of other smart writers have been going over the bill too, and they have much to say which bears summarizing and considering. First, over at the Toronto Star, Chantal
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