Highland 0 Report post Posted May 20, 2004 The Supreme Couty of Canada ruled against Steven Harper on May 18th that a bill tabled by the ruling Liberals on February 10, 2004 regarding "third party" expenditures during an election. Under this law, non-party organisations (Any group not registered under Elections Canada) is allowed to spend only $3000 in any particular riding or $150,000 nationally. Registered parties can spend $12 million nationally and $60,000 in a particular riding. Ruling. Personally I find this to be a grievous assault on my rights. If free expression is censored during pollitcal recourse then what is the point of democracy? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest cobainwasmurdered Report post Posted May 20, 2004 Eh. It's not exactly a big deal to register if I recall correctly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Highland 0 Report post Posted May 20, 2004 But why should you even have to register? This law makes it a crime to spend more than the allowed amounts during an election, and the limits are so low that it effectively prohibits non-party organisations from making their views known during an election. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted May 20, 2004 Can't you get busted in Canada for saying offensive stuff (hate speech) anyway?... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Highland 0 Report post Posted May 20, 2004 Can't you get busted in Canada for saying offensive stuff (hate speech) anyway?... Yes, but this steps beyond the bounds of political correctness and prohibits alternative views on political discourse during an election. It would be the same as if the US media only allowed Democrat and Republican candidates to have national debates. Wait.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted May 20, 2004 Perhaps if a decent third-party candidate would make a move (Perot in '92) there would be more people at those lame debates. Funny how lots of people bitch about there only being two major U.S. political parties, but yet these same people don't vote for an alternative, or vote for one of the "Big Two" nevertheless... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Highland 0 Report post Posted May 20, 2004 But that is just voter apathy "Why throw away my vote?" as far as I know, htere is no US law prohibiting non-party groups to campaign during an election. Is that what the campaign finance reform bill was about? I really haven't kept up to date on it. Did it pass into law? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted May 20, 2004 A quick OT question. Is Liberal the same thing in Canada has it is in the U.S. Just asking 'cuse I read Ken Dryden was running for politcial office has a liberal. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Highland 0 Report post Posted May 20, 2004 It's hard to explain: they're not exactly small "L" liberals since their policies have run the gamut of the economic spectrum, but if I had to make a comparison then the Liberals=Democrats and the Conservatives=Republicans, but here the Liberals are the far more successful party, whereas the Republicans have been more successful than the Democrats. It's really just a name, it's not entirely reflective of their ideals or policy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NoCalMike 0 Report post Posted May 21, 2004 Perhaps if a decent third-party candidate would make a move (Perot in '92) there would be more people at those lame debates. Funny how lots of people bitch about there only being two major U.S. political parties, but yet these same people don't vote for an alternative, or vote for one of the "Big Two" nevertheless... I voted for Nader in 2000. And while I am not sure if HE is getting my vote this time, I am certain that whoever I vote for it won't be Bush or Kerry. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ace309 0 Report post Posted May 21, 2004 A quick OT question. Is Liberal the same thing in Canada has it is in the U.S. Just asking 'cuse I read Ken Dryden was running for politcial office has a liberal. The Liberal Party of Canada has been described as "The Party of the Radical Centre." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest MikeSC Report post Posted May 21, 2004 A quick OT question. Is Liberal the same thing in Canada has it is in the U.S. Just asking 'cuse I read Ken Dryden was running for politcial office has a liberal. The Liberal Party of Canada has been described as "The Party of the Radical Centre." They seem to be hardcore bland. -=Mike ...We are EXTREMELY average! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hogan Made Wrestling 0 Report post Posted May 21, 2004 The federal Liberal party is the "Party Of Whatever Will Get Us Elected". The various Liberal parties in Canada really run the spectrum in terms of politics, despite all having the same name on the marquee. For instance, the Liberal party in Quebec is led by Jean Charest, a former leader of the federal Conservative party. BC's Liberal party is even more conservative. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted May 21, 2004 Perhaps if a decent third-party candidate would make a move (Perot in '92) there would be more people at those lame debates. Funny how lots of people bitch about there only being two major U.S. political parties, but yet these same people don't vote for an alternative, or vote for one of the "Big Two" nevertheless... I voted for Nader in 2000. And while I am not sure if HE is getting my vote this time, I am certain that whoever I vote for it won't be Bush or Kerry. Well, then you're not part of my previous grumblings. Can you ever find it in your heart to forgive me?... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
