Looks like the BC government has already legislated limitations on free speech at election time.
There are similar musings in Alberta to do something akin to this limitation on third party advertising at election time. Not good.
People are not stupid. They can make informed judgments. In the Internet age limiting third party advertising in elections is a silly and ineffective “solution” that abuses power and adds to political cynicism.
In a time when everyone is potentially a publisher, limits on traditional advertising for third parties is only going to extend and expand the other more effective media like You Tube, the Blogosphere and social networks. Limits like this will only make the "perceived problem" caused by third-party advertising worse. The networking power of the world wide web is enormously more powerful at informing and influencing public opinion and changing voter behaviours than a billboard or brochure will ever be.
Free speech is not free. It must be protected, promoted and used responsibly. That duty to ensure freedom of speech falls on governments and every freedom loving citizen. Premier Campbell's limitiation on freedom of speech in BC is wrong headed and this law needs to be repealed.
If it is an actual limit on free speech, it would be contrary to the Charter and you can always go to Court to have the legislation declared invalid. As such, your argument does not hold much sand - i.e. the legislation appears to be consistent with the Charter.
ReplyDeleteDidn't Stephen Harper take the federal government to court on third party election spending limits the Federal Liberals tried to impose? That was when he was head of the National Citizen's Coalition I think.
ReplyDeleteWhat was that net result of that effort?
Glad to hear that you are a big fan of Stephen Harper's efforts.
ReplyDeleteWhen Mr. Harper is good he is very good. When he is bad he is scary.
ReplyDeleteI try an give him and others in public like positive props whenever I can because politics is pretty thankless.
What we really need is a strong leader like George W. Bush who will go down as the best President in the last 50 years.
ReplyDeleteSuuure. Then you go and smear Mr. Bernier. Way to take the high road.
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