I hear the CPC is appealing the Court decision overturning the Rob Anders nomination in Calgary West. There is an interesting pattern that is forming here for the Conservative Party of Canada what with the events around Anders, Day and the last Ottawa race for mayor candidate involvement. Altogether they are either under investigation, pending investigation or under appeal from the courts. Real confidence and trust building events don’t you think?
I wonder who Harper called first tonight to congratulate them on the results of the Quebec election. My money is on Dumont first and Charest next. More on the Quebec election and what it means for Canada in a posting tomorrow.
Looks to me it is very much like a result that is close to what M. Leger said Quebecers wanted. they effectively have Dumont’s leadership, Charest’s MNAs and Boisclair’s policy.
I am glad Charest survived, party-wise and personally. It was nip and tuck for sure…on both counts.
Who are you to question the CPC's decision to appeal a court decision? You know, lower level courts sometimes get it wrong and are overturned. The CPC is ensuring it was the right decision.
ReplyDeleteLook forward to your post on Quebec. What a great result! It demonstrates that Harper's idea of a decentralized federal government or "open federalism" is gaining popularity in Quebec. It's interesting to note that it took a Conservative party to destroy the separatist forces in Quebec. The myth that it is the LPC that keeps Quebec in Canada has been absolutely abolished (if that wasn't clear after the sponsorship scandal).
The ADQ win also illustrates that conservativism is alive and well in Quebec. Expect election speculation to dramatically increase!
Eric - where do you get off claiming I question the decision or even the right of the CPC to appeal the court decision on Anders? Where have I questioned their decision to appeal?
ReplyDeleteI merely stated a fact that the CPC was going to appeal. Who cares other that this behaviour may indicate to citizens that the CPC can't run a party fairly and consistent with the law. If they can't even do that should they be trusted to run a country when they actually get to make the laws?
No one would dispute their right to appeal but recognize such appeals are on issues of law and jurisdiction not usually on retrying the facts.
They would have to find the judge at first instance erred in law or in jurisdiction. Not an easy case to make based on precedent. I understand the matter is to be heard on Aprl 17. Should be interesting.
It seemed like you put the fact that the CPC in a light that insinuated it was a negative thing that they appealed.
ReplyDeleteI think it will be an interesting case. Normally Courts do not get involved in private and political associations. As well, it seemed like the QB judge totally ignored the strongly worded privative clause - in other words, the test may well be on correctness.
Privative clauses should never survive a need for a correctness test.
ReplyDeletePolitical Parties should not be seen a private clubs anymore either. That is the essense of this court decision.
They get taxpayer money based on votes and also get to give out tax deductible receipts. They must at least be accountable for following their own rules, which is what the Ander's case turned on as I see it.
Political parties must also now be seen for what they are, part of our democratic institutional framework.
Go to www.policychannel.com and see the video with Dr. Steve Patten from the U of A on this point.