I am interested in pragmatic pluralist politics, citizen participation, protecting democracy and exploring a full range of public policy issues from an Albertan perspective.
Duff Conacher of Democracy Watch has a Letter to the Editor in this weeks’ edition of the Hill Times calling for Elections Canada to be given audit powers in dealing with political parties’ books. I could not agree more.
See that political parties get: * 50% of national campaign expenses back (assuming party breaks 2% support nationally), * 60% of each of the 308 candidates (assuming the candidate breaks 10% support locally), * $1.75/vote obtained nationally(2004 dollars, indexed with inflation... 2% threshold now gone due to SC decision),
damn straight that Elections Canada should have the right to audit the books.
Canadian taxpayers are putting a lot of money into our democratic system (including tax benefits for donations), there should be a serious watchdog agency who looks after more than just the elections themselves.
Anon at 9:14 - so lets hire real auditors and speed them up at Elections Canada...maybe they can give advanced rulings like the Canada Revenue Agency does and scams and schemes can be vetted before they are launched.
Also the Auditor General is reactive and therefore too slow. In election issues we need a proactive agency. Once an election is "won" illegally or thorugh other wrong doings it is too late to put the toothpaste back in the tube.
I think the Cons in their As-scam were doing just that - trying to con us in believing this trickery was and is OK. it is not!
Even if it is technically "legal" which I would find astounding, it is not the way a free and democratic society should operate...and those who are so sly and slick about how they play the political game lack the necessary character qualities and the wisdom required to govern.
I agree with you on your first two points but worry the costs may be prohibitive.
The methodology used by the CPC complied with the law and this, to the displeasure of liberals, is patently clear for anyone (even non-lawyers in this situation) to see on a precursory glance of the legislation.
It is not for liberals to discuss "character qualities". They BROKE rather than complied with the law by fraudulently stealing taxpayer's dollars. They BROKE the sacred trust with voters and hopefully this is reiterated to voters again and again so it doesn't happen again.
Anon at 8:24 - I am not so sure the CON complied with the law. Doing indirectly what is prohibited directly does not equal compliance.
In any event - lets let the Federal Court decide if any laws were broken. The Cons have rightly taken the matter to the courts for clarification.
Noting that there is enough character flaws to go around in all political parties is not a defense that reassures me that our democracy is robust and appropriately representative.
See that political parties get:
ReplyDelete* 50% of national campaign expenses back (assuming party breaks 2% support nationally),
* 60% of each of the 308 candidates (assuming the candidate breaks 10% support locally),
* $1.75/vote obtained nationally(2004 dollars, indexed with inflation... 2% threshold now gone due to SC decision),
damn straight that Elections Canada should have the right to audit the books.
Canadian taxpayers are putting a lot of money into our democratic system (including tax benefits for donations), there should be a serious watchdog agency who looks after more than just the elections themselves.
Ken,
ReplyDeleteYou may change your mind if you have ever dealt with Elections Canada. It is a slow-moving bureaucracy without much talented individuals.
If you actually give audit powers, you would then have to hire REAL auditors. As such, the Auditor General of Canada is the more appropriate body.
Anon at 9:14 - so lets hire real auditors and speed them up at Elections Canada...maybe they can give advanced rulings like the Canada Revenue Agency does and scams and schemes can be vetted before they are launched.
ReplyDeleteAlso the Auditor General is reactive and therefore too slow. In election issues we need a proactive agency. Once an election is "won" illegally or thorugh other wrong doings it is too late to put the toothpaste back in the tube.
I think the Cons in their As-scam were doing just that - trying to con us in believing this trickery was and is OK. it is not!
Even if it is technically "legal" which I would find astounding, it is not the way a free and democratic society should operate...and those who are so sly and slick about how they play the political game lack the necessary character qualities and the wisdom required to govern.
I agree with you on your first two points but worry the costs may be prohibitive.
ReplyDeleteThe methodology used by the CPC complied with the law and this, to the displeasure of liberals, is patently clear for anyone (even non-lawyers in this situation) to see on a precursory glance of the legislation.
It is not for liberals to discuss "character qualities". They BROKE rather than complied with the law by fraudulently stealing taxpayer's dollars. They BROKE the sacred trust with voters and hopefully this is reiterated to voters again and again so it doesn't happen again.
Anon at 8:24 - I am not so sure the CON complied with the law. Doing indirectly what is prohibited directly does not equal compliance.
ReplyDeleteIn any event - lets let the Federal Court decide if any laws were broken. The Cons have rightly taken the matter to the courts for clarification.
Noting that there is enough character flaws to go around in all political parties is not a defense that reassures me that our democracy is robust and appropriately representative.