Big Guy Posted June 23, 2015 Report Posted June 23, 2015 I have just watched an advertisement supporting a particular Canadian Federal Party. This is nothing new - EXCEPT - the advertisement was not paid for by any political party or our government. It was paid for by some special interest group or some individual who wants to support a particular Canadian federal political party. In Canada, when the "writ drops" and the current government is dissolved, then our campaign for the election officially begins. Each party is restricted as to money spent and full accountability for who is supplying that money. At this point in time, everybody knows that an election is imminent and are preparing for the campaign. BUT - This is the first time that individuals or groups are buying TV and other media time to support a particular political party or undermine the leader of another political party. These are third person organizations which have been allowed to skewer American politics. Any group or person is now allowed to buy as much or little media time to support or demean a Canadian federal political party without having to declare who is behind the ad, how much is being spent and which party is responsible for the media advertisement. This condition will continue until the writ is dropped at which time campaign constrictions will come into play. It looks like we should be prepared, for the first time, to view media ads paid for by anonymous groups with no accountability for content or backing. We could see an ad paid for by the Chinese supporting or criticizing the Conservatives or the Russians supporting or criticizing the Liberals or the North Koreans supporting or criticizing the NDP or the Israelis supporting or criticizing the Greens - and we will never know who is behind these ads! We have spent many, many years in Canada setting up guidelines where we try to allow all political parties an equal playing field and allow issues to dominate discussion. That has now dramatically changed. I think this is an aberration that had infected the American political system and is now threatening to infect ours. I believe that it is wrong and should not be allowed. What do you think? Quote Note - For those expecting a response from Big Guy: I generally do not read or respond to posts longer then 300 words nor to parsed comments.
Canada_First Posted June 23, 2015 Report Posted June 23, 2015 According to the left wing on this board we have a dictator. So that means Harper is PM for life and cannot be removed from office by vote. So isn't an election pointless? Quote
Shady Posted June 23, 2015 Report Posted June 23, 2015 No this isn't the first time an individual or group has paid for political advertising. I swear it's like clockwork every few years enterering a new campaign season. The assertion that "American style" politics is now in Canada! Quote
Keepitsimple Posted June 23, 2015 Report Posted June 23, 2015 Depends what groups you are talking about. Here in Ontario at the provincial level, we've suffered through the "Working Families Coalition" for the past few elections - millions of dollars put forward by the Teachers' Union in anti-Conservative ads. That Left Wing and Union nastiness has now mutated to the Federal level and has led to the creation of HarperPAC..... A new third-party organization called HarperPAC has announced it plans advertising to target anti-Conservative messaging in the lead-up to the 2015 federal election. In a press release, the group says their goal is to "defend the interests of everyday Canadians against the tide of cash from professional leftist agitators and big union bosses that has been earmarked to take down the Conservative government." The statement is in part a reference to anti-Harper advertisements released this month by Engage Canada, an organization supported by donors that include unions. That group, headed by former Liberal and NDP strategists Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/pro-conservative-harperpac-launches-to-counter-union-backed-ads-1.3122785 Quote Back to Basics
jbg Posted June 23, 2015 Report Posted June 23, 2015 I have just watched an advertisement supporting a particular Canadian Federal Party. This is nothing new - EXCEPT - the advertisement was not paid for by any political party or our government. It was paid for by some special interest group or some individual who wants to support a particular Canadian federal political party. In Canada, when the "writ drops" and the current government is dissolved, then our campaign for the election officially begins. Each party is restricted as to money spent and full accountability for who is supplying that money.*************************I think this is an aberration that had infected the American political system and is now threatening to infect ours. I believe that it is wrong and should not be allowed. What do you think? Aside from your gratuitous America-bashing I largely agree. I think that the First Amendment/Charter of Rights should protect only people and not entities. If some individual wants to take out an ad, prior to writ drop, or in an American campaign at any time bashing another candidate I suppose that's within the ambit of free speech. I disagree totally with the conservative wing of the U.S. Supreme Court that gave corporations the same rights as people in the Citizens United decision. I think corporations and LLC's are legislatively created entities that should have exactly the rights that the authorizing legislature wants to give. I do not believe that someone engaging in a campaign should be able to hide behind a corporation to support or undermine a candidate or party. Now as far as the rest of your point some "Americanization" became inevitable with the advent of fixed election dates. Unfortunately Mulroney on the PC side and Chretien on the Liberal side made an art form of advancing or delaying elections to suit their needs. One suggestion (which I'm sure somoene better versed on Canada than I am) would be to give the GG or even the British monarch more discretion to set writ drops during majority governments. Or some other neutral person or body. That would create the requisite uncertainty as to date, so as not to encourage activity in advance of an election. No system will be perfect. Quote Free speech: "You can say what you want, but I don't have to lend you my megaphone." Always remember that when you are in the right you can afford to keep your temper, and when you are in the wrong you cannot afford to lose it. - J.J. Reynolds. Will the steps anyone is proposing to fight "climate change" reduce a single temperature, by a single degree, at a single location? The mantra of "world opinion" or the views of the "international community" betrays flabby and weak reasoning (link).
Freddy Posted June 23, 2015 Report Posted June 23, 2015 Damn rich people, always finding way's to bypass our rules. Finding a system that auto regulates itself and acts in the common good of everyone through everyone's personal interest are nearly impossible to achieve. I guess will have to take the good with the bad. Quote
bush_cheney2004 Posted June 23, 2015 Report Posted June 23, 2015 No this isn't the first time an individual or group has paid for political advertising. I swear it's like clockwork every few years enterering a new campaign season. The assertion that "American style" politics is now in Canada! Good point...it is neither the first time or only associated with "American style" politics. That's just more of the typical and pathetic strategy of "America bashing" that comes out like clockwork during Canadian campaign season to try and win votes. Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
On Guard for Thee Posted June 23, 2015 Report Posted June 23, 2015 According to the left wing on this board we have a dictator. So that means Harper is PM for life and cannot be removed from office by vote. So isn't an election pointless? No you still can remove him by vote, although the unfair elections act is an attempt to curb that. So sharpen up your pencil and get ready for October. Quote
Canada_First Posted June 23, 2015 Report Posted June 23, 2015 No you still can remove him by vote, although the unfair elections act is an attempt to curb that. So sharpen up your pencil and get ready for October. They give you the instrument. AFAIK you cant bring your own writing implement unto the voting booth with you. I've never tried mind you. You refer to him as a dictator. Which dictators in history of Canada have been removed by a vote? Or is Harper first and only dictator? What qualities make him a dictator? Quote
On Guard for Thee Posted June 23, 2015 Report Posted June 23, 2015 They give you the instrument. AFAIK you cant bring your own writing implement unto the voting booth with you. I've never tried mind you. You refer to him as a dictator. Which dictators in history of Canada have been removed by a vote? Or is Harper first and only dictator? What qualities make him a dictator? Constantly limiting debate on bills, not allowing people into committee who might disagree with the bill, proroguing parliament, being the first ever PM to be found in contempt of parliament, etc. Take your pick. Quote
Canada_First Posted June 23, 2015 Report Posted June 23, 2015 Constantly limiting debate on bills, not allowing people into committee who might disagree with the bill, proroguing parliament, being the first ever PM to be found in contempt of parliament, etc. Take your pick. Are these the kinds of things dictators do? As in North Korea, Cuba, CHina, etc... Quote
On Guard for Thee Posted June 23, 2015 Report Posted June 23, 2015 Are these the kinds of things dictators do? As in North Korea, Cuba, CHina, etc... Yeah pretty much. Although those places have much more experience at the dictatorship game. Quote
bush_cheney2004 Posted June 23, 2015 Report Posted June 23, 2015 (edited) Canadian Leader's Debates on television....more American style politics...oh my ! Edited June 23, 2015 by bush_cheney2004 Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
On Guard for Thee Posted June 23, 2015 Report Posted June 23, 2015 Canadian Leader's Debates....more American style politics...oh my ! I hope to hell not American style, else we wont hear a damn thing anyone has to say whilst they all talk over each other. Quote
Canada_First Posted June 23, 2015 Report Posted June 23, 2015 Yeah pretty much. Although those places have much more experience at the dictatorship game. wouldn't a dictator ban all opposition and jail them? Quote
On Guard for Thee Posted June 23, 2015 Report Posted June 23, 2015 wouldn't a dictator ban all opposition and jail them? Well like most new procedures you have to walk before you run. Quote
Canada_First Posted June 23, 2015 Report Posted June 23, 2015 Well like most new procedures you have to walk before you run. So Harper is not a dictator yet? Or is this the hidden agenda the left was talking about when Martin was PM? Quote
On Guard for Thee Posted June 23, 2015 Report Posted June 23, 2015 So Harper is not a dictator yet? Or is this the hidden agenda the left was talking about when Martin was PM? Harper is trying, but it wont work with me because I have a permanent address and have been on the voters list for years. Quote
Canada_First Posted June 23, 2015 Report Posted June 23, 2015 Harper is trying, but it wont work with me because I have a permanent address and have been on the voters list for years. What does this mean? He's going after transient types or the homeless? Quote
Shady Posted June 23, 2015 Report Posted June 23, 2015 I hope to hell not American style, else we wont hear a damn thing anyone has to say whilst they all talk over each other. Lol, it's actually the other way around. During a presidential debate, there are rules that are followed, and you can actually hear them speak. Canadian federal debates are clusterfarks. Quote
Keepitsimple Posted June 23, 2015 Report Posted June 23, 2015 Doesn't anyone want to address the topical issue? Ontario's Union-based third-party attack dogs, the Working Families Coalition has now mutated to the Federal level in the form of Engage Canada. These Leftist attacks have now spawned a counter third-party organization - HarperPAC. The common element are Unions - and as we've learned in Ontario, these attack dogs will bite their master - because "it's never enough". Quote Back to Basics
Shady Posted June 23, 2015 Report Posted June 23, 2015 What does this mean? He's going after transient types or the homeless? It's Harper Derangement Syndrome on a nearly fatal level. I wouldn't bother. Quote
Boges Posted June 23, 2015 Report Posted June 23, 2015 3rd party advertising has been happening in Ontario to do the fear mongering for the Ontario Liberal Party for over 10 years now. The 3rd party groups get to trash the opposition while it frees up the party to do all the positive stuff. But when the CPC does it, it's horrible. Quote
Big Guy Posted June 23, 2015 Author Report Posted June 23, 2015 Unfortunately, this thread, like most others, has become a vehicle for partisan bashing. My point is that our control of how Canada will choose its leaders is under threat. My reference to American Style is simply because that is exactly what has happened in the USA with Supreme Court decisions. Why some posters here feel that to state that something is "American Style" is American bashing says something about that poster. I believe that we have a few things to learn from the Americans. I will try again. We are allowing a gap in our electoral process where anybody (not necessarily rich people) can spend as much as they want to promote a federal party without being accountable as to source or accuracy. Some think tank in the USA can target a particular province to get a "friendly" person elected. Russia can back some NDP candidates with nobody knowing. Israel could be pouring money into supporting pro-Israeli candidates. I am just using these few examples to indicate what kind of Pandora's box we are opening. There is a lot of money floating around out there with many non-Canadian special interest groups prepared to anonymously elect their candidate - and it will never see daylight. Quote Note - For those expecting a response from Big Guy: I generally do not read or respond to posts longer then 300 words nor to parsed comments.
Boges Posted June 23, 2015 Report Posted June 23, 2015 Or Unions can buy ads fear-mongering as well. How about we just ban all political advertising during an election campaign as well as ban the publication of any opinion polls which influence voters as well. Quote
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