Democracy During The Election Process? Correspondence With The Governor-General'

Does the Governor-General as the Queen’s representative in Canada not see that by our revealing this very important information to the people of Canada, we could possibly avert such action from taking place? Does Her Excellency not recognize the democratic process is not being represented in this election campaign, and that the House and Senate are not sitting at this time and therefore we have only one recourse and that is the Queen through the Governor-General? Charter of Rights and Freedoms is very clear. Equality rights according to our Constitution declares in section 15.1 “Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and ….all people” Further Section 2 “Fundamental Freedoms 2. Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms: (a) freedom of conscience and religion (b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication;” If we are going to uphold this Charter of which we are so proud, we must begin with the two statements above. The election process has been determined by the major parties. These parties are funded by corporations. Independent candidates and small party candidates are treated in a very unequal and unfair manner. The poor cannot afford to run. The $1,000.00 deposit and cost of an Auditor are beyond many Canadians’ reach. The small parties are allotted an unequal amount of time to express their opinion. When the Supreme Court ruled the importance of the small party in contributing to the democratic process, they ensured a sense of equality. If democracy is for the people and by the people of Canada then why are the poor disqualified from the process? Why are they discriminated against, by virtue of their financial situation? If our democracy hinges on the wishes of the major parties through the House or Senate, then anyone who opposes the will of those parties is at a disadvantage. If the proportion of media time is diminished because of the small party status, then all other aspects of the election process should reflect that unequal status. The deposit should be reduced and the number of names required to nominate a person should be reduced proportionally. A registered political party in Canada must be recognized by our own democratic process if it is to serve the spirit of the Supreme Court decision. The Canadian Broadcasting system is designed to be the national voice of Canadians, not primarily the voice of the rich and privileged. Many candidates will be denied the right to speak in Candidate forums, which contradicts Section 2 of the Charter. Must we rely on the corporate owned media to give legitimacy to a legally recognized political party? If we accept the Supreme Court ruling, then we must accept and treat all parties equal regardless of size, otherwise we do not have a democratic process. I am copying this letter to Jean-Pierre Kingsley, the Chief Electoral Officer, in hopes that he will be able, with your assistance, rectify this situation before the election campaign is over. It is my sincere hope that he will not simply be forced to uphold the previous major parties decisions, which exclude the small parties from any significant coverage. With all due respect to the Her Excellency The Governor-General and her constitutional position, I believe the people of Canada are at the mercy of an undemocratic process and will not be capable of making an inform decision on election day. It is my sincere hope that Canada will remain a sovereign nation and that as the Queen’s representative in Canada, Her Excellency will reconsider my questions and assist us in this matter. Yours very truly Catherine Whelan Costen Canadian Action Party President Cc: www.canadianheritage.gc.ca liza_frulla@pch.gc.ca and www.elections.ca transmitted via fax1 888 524-1444 Constance Fogal, Leader Canadian Action Party Media CBC -President of the CBC Robert Rabinovitch : robert_rabinovitch@cbc.ca Ombudsman for the CBC ombudsman@cbc.ca Response from Governor-General's Assistant -Info wrote: > Dear Ms. Whelan Costen, > > On behalf of Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, I am responding to your e-mail below. > > While the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General appreciates your inquiry, we are unable to provide the assistance you are seeking. The matter you have raised falls more directly within the responsibility of the Department of Canadian Heritage and Elections Canada. Should you wish to raise your concerns with these departments, you may do so at the following addresses: > > The Honourable Liza Frulla > Minister of Canadian Heritage 25 Eddy Street > Gatineau QC K1A 0M5 > Tel.: (819) 997-0055 > Toll-free: 1 866 811-0055 > TTY/TDD: (819) 997-3123 > Jean-Pierre Kingsley Chief Electoral Officer > Elections Canada > Office of the Chief Electoral Officer > 257 Slater Street > Ottawa ON K1A 0M6 > > You may also find it useful to visit their respective Web sites at www.canadianheritage.gc.ca and www.elections.ca. > > Among the Governor General's responsibilities is the granting of Royal Assent to legislation passed by Parliament. However, the Governor General respects decisions made in the House of Commons and the Senate and does not intervene in issues deemed the responsibility of federal, provincial or municipal governments. > Additional information on the role and responsibilities of the Governor General can be found on our Web site at www.gg.ca. > Thank you for writing. > > Yours sincerely, > > Lisa Bryden, INFO > Rideau Hall > 1 Sussex Drive / 1, promenade Sussex > Ottawa ON K1A 0A1 > www.gg.ca > e-mail / courriel: info@gg.ca > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Catherine Whelan Costen [mailto:cathpublish@wildroseinternet.ca] Sent: December 4, 2005 5:44 PM > To: Info; Liaison@CBC.CA; Connie Fogal > Subject: CBC and Democracy > Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean > Governor General of Canada > Rideau Hall > 1 Sussex Drive > Ottawa, Ontario > K1A 0A1 > info@gg.ca > > December 3, 2005 > > Excellency > > It is with great pleasure that I address you as our new Governor-General. It is unfortunately not a pleasurable matter that I address. I do not know for certain whether it is within your mandate to assist Canadians in a democratic electoral process, but would appreciate any advice you may provide. I have grave concerns with regard to the people of Canada's ability to make an informed choice regarding the election process. The Canadian Broadcasting System is the people's voice, publicly funded and supported by many Canadians, however they are not representing the democratic process in a fair unbiased manner. > > When the Supreme Court of Canada ruled on the importance of the smaller political parties in the role of democracy, the people of Canada finally had a glimmer of hope that their voice would be heard. The current trend of not including the smaller parties in the Leadership debates and not exposing their party platforms on the CBC Canada Votes website, is denying the people the right to information. They are denying the people the right to informed voting selection. By default they are denying the democratic process. > > The election was called, as you know, on November 30, 2005, and it is now December 3, 2005; thus far the CBC has granted the four parties holding seats prior to the election being called, an unfair advantage. Once a campaign begins those seats no longer belong to the members. Those seats are in question. The government itself, is being debated and therefore to suggest that because they have seats in parliament they are granted privilege, is an unfair decision. At the time an election is called, there are no seats in government. Every member is a candidate if they chose to be. Every member is equal to every other candidate running and therefore, should be treated as a candidate and potential member. > > The concept of democracy is a government formed by the people for the people. How can the people of Canada form the government from its members if those members are not provided the information to make such a decision. How can there be fair competition if some members are not allowed to enter the starting gate? The candidates are now being listed in the ridings, however the leader and party policies, or views on the issues, are not included in the manner this is being promoted. There are several sections on the Canada Votes website. Two sections imply only four choices for the voters to consider. Specifically they are the 'Vote by Issue' section and the 'Take Our Quiz'. > > We would ask that you inform us as to how this might be rectified. We are also requesting that, in the event that the media chooses to disallow the Leaders of the small parties to participate in the full Leaders debate, that the CBC follow the precedent set in 1993 of allowing a Leader Debate of the small party leaders and broadcast it to the nation on Prime Time Television. Canadians deserve to know the issues and have equal opportunity to hear the options each party presents. I am asking you to assist us in the practice of democracy. Since the CBC's 'Canada Votes' is free advertising for the 4 other parties, we are requesting the same, equal treatment. > > I look forward to your response and your favourable consideration for democracy in Canada. > Yours truly > Catherine Whelan Costen > Canadian Action Party President > > Cc: > President of the CBC > Robert Rabinovitch > President and CEO and Acting Chair > Board of Directors > > Connie Fogal, Leader Canadian Action Party [Proofreader's note: this article was edited for spelling and typos on December 14, 2005]

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