I can’t help but find the hew and cry about Elizabeth May’s exclusion from the leaders’ debates amusing. For example, over 1500 comments have been posted on the original story on the CBC website, which is more than I’ve ever seen on any other story.
[Read more…] about The Greens shouldn’t have been in the debate anyway.
So much for dignified debate
Every election, we hope for dignified debate over policy. But eventually, the whole thing grinds down into petty partisanship. It only took until the third day, but we’re there. The Conservative website briefly had a puffin pooping on Stephane Dion.
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Has Harper violated the fixed election law? Will it mattter?
Have the Conseratives violated the fixed election date law passed by Parliament in 2007?
No. The Canadian Constitution requires that the Governor General retain the prerogative to dissolve Parliament at her pleasure. Yes, she takes advice on this from the Prime Minister, but the decision is still hers. Any law depriving the Governor General of the legal capacity to dissolve Parliament would be unconstitutional. Patrick Monahan in the Globe and Mail on Saturday August 30 was very good on this point.
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May Excluded from Leaders’ Debate
The big news on day one of the campaign was that Elizabeth May, the leader of the Green Party, would not be allowed to participate in the leaders’ debates. It’s easy to see why the other parties wouldn’t want her to participate. The Conservatives are weak on environmental issues and they know it, so having a leader wel versed on those issues would only show up their weakness in that critical policy arena. The NDP didn’t want her in because they’re worried about bleeding votes that way. The only one who seemed willing to have her participate was Stephane Dion and the Liberals, who have developed an understanding with the Greens.
When Lawn Signs Aren’t an Option
I am convinced that, as a displaced Albertan, I will always find politics in Quebec somewhat odd.
The MLW Off-Topic Forums are Now Open!
I’ve recently added five new off-topic forums in the re:politics (formerly, Maple Leaf Web) discussion forums. We have chosen five topics spanning a wide range of issues.
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