Court Challenge To Unfair Political Finance Rules

I doubt well see this lawsuit get much attention in the corporate owned press. The last thing the power base wants is some real competition - they really do love promoting and defending the illusion of competition however.

I really hope this coalition wins the court challenge. It would really help our democracy by leveling the playing field.

Next up - some form of pro-rep-gov.

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If there was ever a time for Canadians to become pushy - now is the time - for time is running out on this nation called Canada.

I received more than 2% of the votes for the Christian Heritage Party in the General Election of November 1988. I personally suffered a financial loss and so did the Committee (there was no riding association at that time where I ran.)

Does this mean some refund may be ordered by the Court?

This challenge is in respect to the party not to the candidates. Nor are they likely to make it retroactive.

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If there was ever a time for Canadians to become pushy - now is the time - for time is running out on this nation called Canada.

Two percent is not a very high level. Should tax payers have to pay for anyone who decides to run?? Running for power is an expensive proposition and probably why the average Joe would never try. Financial rewards shouldn't be the reason for running but it always has been. The only cure would have to be a lesser paying advantage and rewards based on merits. * Like that would ever happen!

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Expect little from life and get more from it.

"Should tax payers have to pay for anyone who decides to run?? Running for power is an expensive proposition..."

The other question is should all tax payers pay into political parties that they do not support? My tax dollars are supporting the Liberals, Conservatives, Bloc, NDP and only recently the Greens, but they aren't supporting the party that I and many other Canadians support - is that democratic? My tax dollars are funding the propaganda message from some of these parties which I know is incorrect. At the very least all parties should have an equal playing field, don't you think?

The other question I have is your statement, 'running for power' which makes an assumption of what a party/candidate is running for. I don't think we should be funding a power grab, I think we should be funding a system which supports democracy, where all views are allowed to be heard, and unfortunately without funds to get the message out, not all voices can be heard. That is not democracy, that is a power grab, manipulation through the use of our money to spread often 'their' message.

That is the problem with the system. The established parties who've had control of the country for too long, have removed any real opposition from the political arena by starving us out. It is no different than the tactics used by corporations to manipulate or muscle the little people into giving up, even if they are right.

These major parties make the election rules. Rules which they are comfortable playing by, and which do not make for a fair system. It isn't fair to the people of Canada who reject those parties and their corporate influence and decide to form a party that does reflect their ideals, their goals and their vision of Canada. Many Canadians, like CAP members, don't want to follow a pre-determined platform, they want to have input into a platform, they want to think for themselves, and when they believe they and many others share those values and ideas, they want to offer those concepts to all Canadians. The key is to offer an idea, rather than be forced to chose something someone else decided for you. By discriminating against smaller parties, and denying them funding to advertise, to rent halls for venues, etc, they deny Canadians the opportunity to hear a concept, idea or vision. That is why we need to stand up and fight, so that real democracy can work. You have a right to disagree, but first you should have a right to hear what the choices are...free speech has been hampered by controlling the money, if you don't have it you can't buy radio, t.v. and you certainly can't expect the media which is controlled by their ideology to share your vision with the people of Canada.

Canadians have the right to know their options and our government should reflect that right by funding all political parties equally, not just the ones some people like. We see this sentiment used during elections when only certain parties' platforms are allowed at public forums, or in the leadership debates; this strategy is also used to give legitimacy to these parties and discredit the rest. Where is our free speech?

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If I stand for my country today...will my country be here to stand for me tomorrow?

The other question is should all tax payers pay into political parties that they do not support?

The one with the most votes gets the cash. I agree that new starts have little chance to compete. You missed my point. If I formed a party and it got less then 2% why should I be rewarded AFTER the fact. A maximum should be set but not at levels the average Joe will not be able to compete. No loopholes (Children donating $6K) but a total maximum. Everyone running should be put on a budget and (in my dreams)after getting in power as well.

Yes "Power". The power to do what you were elected to do.

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Expect little from life and get more from it.

You discount the costs of 'being a party'. I remember an Elections Canada meeting when I was with CAP in regards to keeping party status for all parties. It centered around signed declarations from members saying they were paid members. If I remember right they originally wanted 250 declarations. Well fine and dandy, but for a small party doing a mailing to their members is a cost not easily absorbed. The large parties in attendance didn't sniff at the request because for them such a mailing is what - 1/10000th of their operating budget? But for a small party such a requirement could be 1/20th or even 1/10th of their overall operating budget for the year.

With the above example we can see how abuse can come in - the large parties with seats make new legislation (hurdles/costs) to keep the small parties down.

Catherine you summed things up quite well - you are a great spokesperson for CAP and the small parties. The Greens may not have to 'worry' about the 2% rule, but our hearts and thoughts are with you!

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If there was ever a time for Canadians to become pushy - now is the time - for time is running out on this nation called Canada.

Thank you Roy, it certainly is my hope to raise this issue with as many Canadians as possible. We desperately need change in this country if we are going to remain or get to, a democracy.<br />
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did anyone else ever take a look at this 1946 video - on Despotism? It really is worth a review if you've never seen it -<br />
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<a href="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-461990723502527420&q=despotism&pl=t">http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-461990723502527420&q=despotism&pl=t</a><br />
rue<br />
<p>---<br>If I stand for my country today...will my country be here to stand for me tomorrow?