To the editor:
Re: Canadians want electoral reform letter, June 23, Capital News.
I don’t believe too many Canadians including myself would agree with the subject letter. The present system while it may have faults has served us well for many years. Maybe because it is simple and easy to understand.
The letter also refers to organizations using Canada and BC in their titles which to me raises a red flag and the question as to who they are and what do they represent. One name I do recognize is Leadnow. Leadnow was mentioned in an article in The National Post in May 2017 regarding the 2015 federal election.
(That article states) Leadnow is a California-based “Online Progressive Engagement Network (Open).” Through its largest ever campaign called Vote Together they targeted 29 Conservative ridings with field teams run by paid Leadnow organizers. They were successful in changing the vote in ’15. Another familiar name mentioned in the article was Tides Foundation which donated $1.5 Million (US) to third parties in Canada.
Through a loophole in our system these organizations are able to bring in any amount of funding into Canada six months prior to the election. Elections Canada is looking into this and the matter has been raised in Parliament.
It is ironic that the US is accusing the Russians of meddling in their 2016 election but the US changed ours.
Allan Farrar, Kelowna
