Tories changing Election Canada

[Topaz]

The Conservatives are going to bring in "the fair elections act", which will remove the Commissioner of Canada Elections and setup a separate office, probably man by Tory friendly person, like Pierre Poutine??? This is such a farce when the Tories , themselves are broken so many EC rules. http://o.canada.com/news/conservatives-to-table-bill-that-will-reorganize-elections-canada/

[Keepitsimple]

Something they promised they'd do when the RoboCall fiasco unfolded......

[cybercoma]

Not at all suspect when you're under investigation by Elections Canada, have been completely uncooperative with them, and now you're going to "restructure" it. Seems totally kosher.

[cybercoma]

Latest reports say the Conservatives are debating the bill the same day as they table it, giving the opposition absolutely no time to study it. Nothing like spitting in the face of democratic representation when you're tabling a bill that supposedly strengthens democratic representation.

[cybercoma]

Pierre Poilievre has been posting some interesting Tweets on Twitter. First he says, "We will ensure everyday citizens are in charge of democracy, by putting special interests on the sidelines and rule-breakers out of business." Link: https://twitter.com/PierrePoilievre/status/430056349402005504

Everyday citizens, Pierre? Really? As opposed to what exactly?

But that's not why I'm replying after myself yet again. Here's the best one.

"We will make it easier to vote and harder to break the law." Link: https://twitter.com/PierrePoilievre/status/430057961746993153

So the party that has been under investigation by Elections Canada and completely uncooperative is going to make even harder for Elections Canada to get convictions. If it's harder to break the law, then essentially that means the laws are going to be more lenient.

Minister of Democratic Reform, ladies and gentlemen.

[On Guard for Thee]

I just find it so ironic that, of all people, the Harper conservatives are tabling something they call "the fair election's act". Mind you I reckon there is some logic to the concept that if you want to know how to catch a bank robber, ask a bank robber. I do think Poilivieri got caught in a lie today: he has tried to turn what was an informal meeting with the CEO into a formal consultation. And of course it becomes apparent as to why they aren't exactly best of friends because his current office might get in the way of future robocall election activities.

[Keepitsimple]

When Mayrand called in the RCMP to raid the Conservative offices for the "In and Out Scandal", he lost a ton of credibility. Any non-partisan would agree that there was a very good argument that it was at worst, a technical breach of the rules. It doesn't matter that they lost the argument, pleaded guilty and paid the fine - only that it was a valid argument- especially since other parties had done it in the past......and in view of that, calling in the RCMP - and leaking the raid to the media so that reporters were right there.....well, that's unprofessional, if not partisan.

[cybercoma]

Quite the contrary. If the Conservatives refused to cooperate with the investigation he had no choice but to call in the RCMP to seize evidence. As we've ween, the Conservatives have no interest in cooperating with the justice system. Which, let's be frank, is quite hypocritical of the Crime and Punishment Party. It look seven worse when the party plead guilty to not only exceeding it's spending limits, but also submitting fraudulent election records. You say "any non-partisan would agree" that it was technicalities. I say to you that even partisan Conservatives should agree that committing fraud is more than a "technical breach of rules." That Canadians would subsequently give this party, guilty of fraud by their own admission, a majority government is baffling. I don't know how Conservative supporters look at themselves in the mirror to be honest.

[cybercoma]

Oh and here's some interesting text from the legislation that has been leaked onto Twitter: "Chief Electoral Officer may provide the public ... with information on the following topics only:"

Electoral Reform by muzzling the Chief Electoral Officer. Way to go, Steve.

Oh and why would they do this, you might ask?

@kady: As per Poilievre's office, "reaching out to inspire voters" should be done by "aspiring candidates & parties," not "government officials"

We wouldn't want voters inspired for the wrong reasons, would we?

Edited February 5, 2014 by cybercoma

[Topaz]

This morning on C-Pac, they televised the Parliamentary committee hearing on EC and one of the Tory MP's James Bezan, who apparently has been force to leave until the matter with EC is cleared up and one of the Tory MP's Scott Reid, didn't leave very much to the imagination how he felt about the head of EC. and how he treated the MP. The NDP, make a point-0f-order about Reid questioning and of course, then the fire works started. This hearing was done of Dec.10th and one can see why the Tories came out with the changes to EC, good or bad.

[cybercoma]

Here we go. The tories are going to muzzle the Chief Electoral Officer. See the scan of the text at the link.

https://twitter.com/RobSilver/status/431192013430484992

Transcribed:

18. (I) The Chief Electoral Officer may provide the public, both inside and outside Canada, with information on the following topics only:

(a) how to become a candidate;

( how an elector may have their name added to a list of electors and may have corrections made to information respecting the elector on the list;

© how an elector may vote under section 127 and the times, dates and locations for voting;

(d) how an elector may establish their identity and residence in order to vote, including the pieces of identification that they may use to that end; and

(e) the measures for assisting electors with a disability to access a polling station or advance polling station or to mark a ballot.

Edited February 5, 2014 by cybercoma

[cybercoma]

[T]he amendments, if passed, will do little to curtail the type of electoral fraud that took place during the May 2011 federal election. What they will do is make it much less likely that electors will ever learn of such activity when it does occur, or that those involved will be prosecuted.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/touch/story.html?id=9472219

This is a sad day for democracy and Conservative supporters should be ashamed to hold up a party that pleads guilty to electoral fraud, then changes the legislation to make it easier to hide wrong-doing and harder to prosecute those who tamper with elections.

[eyeball]

It's probably our own collective fault - Canadian's abject ignorance about how our political and governing system works only encourages and invites abuse.

Maybe the government should launch a public education program aimed at explaining how our system works and especially how keeping it just the way it is will prevent the tilting of political playing fields, concentration of power into fewer and fewer hands and eventual utter chaos when society finally goes postal.

Whaddya think?

Edited February 6, 2014 by eyeball

[Topaz]

As it was said on TV, Harper has had a problem with EC even before he got to Ottawa and its grown since. Of course, the Tories are making sure they benefit more than the other parties and they are probably making new loop holes to use in the next election. I think it would be cheaper to get rid of 144 Tories and replace them with Tories that aren't corrupt.

[cybercoma]

It's probably our own collective fault - Canadian's abject ignorance about how our political and governing system works only encourages and invites abuse.

Maybe the government should launch a public education program aimed at explaining how our system works and especially how keeping it just the way it is will prevent the tilting of political playing fields, concentration of power into fewer and fewer hands and eventual utter chaos when society finally goes postal.

Whaddya think?

Why the hell would they do that? They just made it harder for Canadians to find out about electoral fraud; do you really think they want an educated electorate?

[waldo]

awfully quiet in here... where's all the Harper Conservative spin-doctors supporters pushing back on posts challenging this "Fair Elections Act" bill?

[eyeball]

Why the hell would they do that? They just made it harder for Canadians to find out about electoral fraud; do you really think they want an educated electorate?

I was being facetious. In actual fact I think it's patently clear to most Canadians how fraudulent our governance is.

[Bryan]

This legislation is a long time coming. Elections Canada has been acting as a partisan agency for too long, and this level of oversight is sorely needed.

[cybercoma]

This legislation is a long time coming. Elections Canada has been acting as a partisan agency for too long, and this level of oversight is sorely needed.

That is a very weak response in light of the actual text of the legislation and the undemocratic move by the Conservatives to cut debate short on it, essentially silencing the electorate's representatives in the House.

By any chance, do you think Rob Ford should draft drug enforcement legislation?

[Topaz]

There are good and bad in this Act and its plain to see this is a revenge act against the head of EC, plain and simple but sinc ethe Tories hold the power, for now, there's nothing can be done until 2015 election. http://thechronicleherald.ca/opinion/1184823-mcilveen-new-fair-elections-act-not-exactly-as-advertised

Edited February 6, 2014 by Topaz

[guyser]

By any chance, do you think Rob Ford should draft drug enforcement legislation?

I am sure Bryan will say yes, goes with the mantra of anyone but the Conservatives.

Pathetic legislation that only confirms they have everything to hide

[PIK]

When Mayrand called in the RCMP to raid the Conservative offices for the "In and Out Scandal", he lost a ton of credibility. Any non-partisan would agree that there was a very good argument that it was at worst, a technical breach of the rules. It doesn't matter that they lost the argument, pleaded guilty and paid the fine - only that it was a valid argument- especially since other parties had done it in the past......and in view of that, calling in the RCMP - and leaking the raid to the media so that reporters were right there.....well, that's unprofessional, if not partisan.

And some how the CBC was waiting there even before the mounties showed up. This is a great day for canadians ,maybe now we will have a elections canada that is fair and not in the left's pocket.

[eyeball]

This is a great day for canadians ,maybe now we will have a elections canada that is fair and not in the left's pocket.

Shouldn't anyone who tries to pocket our system of government should be thrown in jail? Why just target lefties who do so?

[cybercoma]

And some how the CBC was waiting there even before the mounties showed up. This is a great day for canadians ,maybe now we will have a elections canada that is fair and not in the left's pocket.

You know the Conservative Party plead guilty, right? What you're suggesting is that the RCMP has no right to go after people who they suspect have committed a crime.

[Bryan]

By any chance, do you think Rob Ford should draft drug enforcement legislation?

I have no opinion on Rob Ford either way, he's not my mayor.