Canada's reputation continues to erode, both at home and internationally.
I recently wrote a post about Canadian law professors who penned an open letter pleading with the government not to proceed with the 'Fair' Elections Act in its present form because it will seriously undermine our democracy.
Now, beyond our borders, the same fears are being expressed, but also with a warning of the negative impact the act could have on new and emerging democracies.
As reported in The Globe and Mail, another open letter, this one signed by 19 professors from universities in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark and Ireland, issues the following warning:
“We believe that this Act would prove [to] be deeply damaging for electoral integrity within Canada, as well as providing an example which, if emulated elsewhere, may potentially harm international standards of electoral rights”.
One of the signatories, Pippa Scott, a Harvard lecturer conducting a six-year electoral project, says the bill would weaken Elections Canada – which she typically cites as a premier agency internationally and warns that voter suppression through the elimination of vouching mirrors what is happening in her own country:
“If the U.S. and Canada both start restricting voters’ capacities to express their role, then I think other countries which are far less democratic will easily take their message … It’s a great excuse. They’ll say, if the leading countries in the world aren’t doing this, why should we?”
The letter dismisses the allegations uttered by Harper puppet Pierre Poilivre about widespread voter fraud, echoing others who have said that such allegations have almost no foundation.
As well, concerns are raised about the role money will play in the electoral process, given the changes that would exempt fundraising from campaign limits, not requiring parties to document their expenses and “increasing the influence of personal wealth” by allowing people to donate more to their own campaigns.
In addition, what the professors describe as "party bias" will undermine the electoral process by allowing parties to recommend poll supervisors, among other changes.
The warnings are everywhere. They demand to be heeded. Let us all hope that the long winter of Canadian apathy is coming to an end.
Another ominous warning is in the stinging rebuke today from the Supreme Court of Harper's attempted appointment of Nadon, and of the Conservative government's attempt to unilaterally change the composition of the Supreme Court.
ReplyDeleteMake no mistake, this is a stinging rebuke and the margin of the vote, six to one, makes it clear that it was not even a very split decision at the top court.
Talk about the Parliamentary Press Gallery spinning its wheels. On a day like this, they cannot even get a chance to ask Dear Leader about his ill advised decision.
Thanks for this information, Anon. One wonders how the Harper cabal will spin this one. Perhaps they will launch into a renewed attack on the judiciary?
DeleteI'd really like to read the open letter by international experts, but unfortunately, it's behind the Globe and Mail pay wall. I should not have to pay for the Globe to read this open letter, intended for me, a Canadian citizen. Any other links to it? Please?
ReplyDeleteSorry, Stephanie. I have searched, and The Globe is the only source I can find for the letter. If I do happen upon another source, I will post it here.
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