http://www.nationalpost.com/ Things could get ugly when the polls open on Election Day, 2015. Stephen Maher writes: When Elections Canada mails out Voter Information Cards this fall, a
Continue readingTag: The "Fair" Elections Act
Politics and its Discontents: Uh Oh. Mr. Harper Will Not Like This
There are many ways in which the ‘Fair’ Elections Act makes it more difficult for Canadians to exercise their voting rights; a group especially hard hit are aboriginals, not known for their support of the Conservative Party of Canada. Previous federal elections have allowed a second person to vouch for
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Setting The Record Straight
Is the oleaginous Pierre Poilivre really the best the Harper regime can do in its propaganda efforts? h/t Press Progress Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Less Than Meets The Eye
Were average citizens given to much political reflection, they would realize that from start to finish, the ‘Fair’ Elections Act has been almost exclusively about both discouraging people from voting and suppressing the vote of those who do not fit the Conservative Party’s target ‘audience.’ Even in light of yesterday’s
Continue readingNorthern Reflections: An Ugly Blast From The Past
It’s not news to note that the Harper government is fixated on the past. From dropping the word “progressive” from the party’s moniker to building a resource based economy — with the focus on one resource — the Harperites are detemined to make the clock run backwards. And the “Fair”
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: A Brief Programming Note
Since spring finally seems to be arriving in my place on the planet, it seems like a propitious time to take a day or two off from this blog and contemplate other matters. In the interim, I recommend the following for your perusal: The Star’s Thomas Walkom writes about democracy,
Continue readingNorthern Reflections: Smelling A Skunk
Eric Grenier writes that, the more Canadians learn about the Fair Elections Act, the less they like it: Opposition to the Conservative government’s proposed Fair Elections Act (Bill C-23) is widespread and growing, according to a new poll by Angus Reid Global. The survey, conducted online from April 14-15 and
Continue readingNorthern Reflections: Worshipping Ignorance And Greed
Michael Harris writes that Stephen Harper has a future — in Arizona and several other Republican states: In that state, voters must now present proof of citizenship before they can cast their ballots. It’s the same in Kansas. Like a lot of Republican states, Arizona claims the legislation is designed
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Sometimes, Clicking Your Heels Does Not Send You To Kansas
This thoughtful letter explains why: Re: Tory MP takes aim at elections watchdog, April 9 When it comes to fairness and objectivity, I have more faith in the former auditor general of Canada, Sheila Fraser, and in the current chief electoral officer, Marc Mayrand, than in Pierre Poilievre, the arrogant
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: You Know Things Are Really Bad
…when even The Globe and Mail takes issue with its party of choice. In a blistering editorial entitled Harper Tories undermining democracy, to their own peril, the Globe attacks the ‘Fair Elections Act and the attitude and deceit behind it, on a number of fronts. I hope you will take
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: A Powerful Indictment
Thanks to The Salamader for bringing the following letter by Jacob Kearey-Moreland to my attention. Published yesterday in The Orillia Packet and Times, it is a powerful indictment of the ‘Fair’ Elections Act and the mentality behind it. For anyone wishing to drop him a line, his contact information appears
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: This Gift From Montreal Simon
I have to admit I was feeling rather discouraged the other day when I read this CBC report in which an EKOS Research poll found that only 27 percent of respondents were familiar with the ‘Fair’ Elections Act. Then I read Montreal Simon’s post this morning and felt a little
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: On Harper’s Destructive Government
I am feeling somewhat uninspired this morning, so for now I simply offer two reasonably good missives from Globe and Mail readers on Mr. Harper’s demonstrably destructive impact on our democracy: Re Tories On The Attack As Fair Elections Act Faces Critics (April 10): Deceive, deny, demonize: Pierre Poilievre’s contemptuous
Continue readingNorthern Reflections: Time To Shut This Show Down
It was a remarkable display of arrogance. In yesterday’s question period, Thomas Mulcair asked Stephen Harper if he would apologize for Pierre Poilivere’s “cowardly and baseless attack” on Marc Mayrand. The prime minister rose, congratulated Philippe Couillard on his electoral victory and then sat down. And the barking seals honked
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: An Eloquent Denunciation Of Harper’s Approach To Government
Watch as Thomas Mulcair denounces quite calmly, incisively and eloquently the myriad problems both of the Fair Elections Act and the entire diseased approach to governance embraced by the Harper regime. Justin Trudeau also offers his view. Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: More Evidence Of The Devil
If the devil is indeed to be found in the detail, then Star letter-writer Geoffrey Kemp of Mississauga has done an exorcist’s job of ferreting out the wily one. Enjoy his well-considered thoughts on an aspect of the ‘Fair’ Elections Act that has gotten relatively little attention owing to the
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: I Nominate Him For A Nobel Prize
The category? That’s yet to be determined. Any suggestions? Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Rick Mercer’s Solution To Voter Apathy
Sure beats the ‘Fair’ Elections Act: Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Well Worth The Read
I’m going to spend much of the day trying to finish off the bulk of my flooring project, so I shall merely offer some reading recommendations for your consideration: In his Star column today, Tim Harper discusses the taint that will reside over every federal election henceforth if the ‘Fair’
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Slip Slidin’ Away
Slip sliding away, slip sliding away You know the nearer your destination, the more you’re slip sliding away – Paul Simon I know, by his public efforts to appear reasonably normal, that Stephen Harper is a Beatles’ fan. Whether he has ever listened to or crooned any of Paul Simon’s
Continue reading