Government to Spend $900,000

[jdobbin]

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/070109/...c_consultations

Sounds like a waste of money.

And why not allow it to be public if they do go ahead with it?

[Canadian Blue]

I think it's a step in the right direction, and I hope something comes of it as this country need's democratic reform, especially consider only 2/3's of Canadian's even bother to vote anymore.

[MightyAC]

I am 100% behind electoral reform but not secretive research that will likely be skewed to suit Con wishes and may or may not even see the light of day. Why not spend the money on a citizens committee with one person from every riding in the country to study electoral reform and propose solutions? The people research the problem, ask the people for imput and come to a consesus on the best solution for the people. Their solutions could then be put to referendum at the next election. It's open, transparent, honest and democratic.

What the Harper government is doing may turn out to be a step in the right direction but I'm skeptical...hopefully it turns out for the best.

[jdobbin]

I think it's a step in the right direction, and I hope something comes of it as this country need's democratic reform, especially consider only 2/3's of Canadian's even bother to vote anymore.

Think it should be done in secret?

[Canuck E Stan]

Think it should be done in secret?

"Participants will also have the opportunity to signal other issues of concern to them in relation to renewing Canada's democratic institutions and practices," says the tender.

Peter Van Loan, the government House leader and minister responsible for democratic reform, said by e-mail Tuesday that day-long citizens' forums will be held in each province and territory, plus an additional forum for youth - making 12 in all.

Secret?

Federal officials did not respond to questions about whether the report will be made public.

Not responding to questions about whether the report will be made public means "Secret".

I thought not reponding to questions means not reponding to questions.

But Owen said the areas outlined in the tender mirror his own calls for democratic reform, "so this might be a very positive thing, if it's done sincerely in an objective way.

"Consultation's good and research is important," said Owen, former head of the Law Commission of Canada, which completed an exhaustive consultation and report on democratic reform in 2004.

Bad idea? B.C. Liberal MP Owen thinks it's a good idea.

Great idea, start in March/07 and a finished draft report in May......of the same year.

[jdobbin]

Not responding to questions about whether the report will be made public means "Secret".

I thought not reponding to questions means not reponding to questions.

Does it now? Sort of how like Khan's report is supposed to be released to all parties?

[kimmy]

$900k? That's absurd. When has the government ever managed to do anything for less than $1 million? They should have said it'll cost $1.2 million, just to make it sound like a regular government project.

-k