To the editor:
I am writing regarding the Conservatives Fair Elections Act – what is it really about?
The right to vote and the integrity of the voting process is at the heart of democracy.
Elections are too important to leave any one party or government. Advanced democracies leave that responsibility to independent officers and election commissions.
Canada is universally held up around the world as a country where elections are fair and democratic. So, what is it about our election laws that motivate the Stephen Harper government to ram through Bill C-23?
The federal Conservatives’ hyper partisanship has no place in updating something as important as election laws.
The United Kingdom electoral commission was consulted extensively before changes to election laws. That’s how it should be in a modern democracy, but apparently not with the current federal government.
This is the new normal in Ottawa; laws being rammed through Parliament. The government is using closure as a way to end debate.
Our tradition of Conservatives, Liberals and New Democrats respecting basic rights and norms, including the right to vote and have a say, is being eroded by the Harper Conservatives.
The compliant backbench does not seem to have the backbone or integrity to speak up for Canadians and basic democratic practices.
This is a fundamental issue of democracy. All fair-thinking Canadians would put democracy and electoral fairness above the interests of any political party.
Where does our Member of Parliament Cathy McLeod stand on Bill C-23?
The Conservative government’s (Un) Fair Elections Act appears to really be about undermining electoral participation and public debate.
It is the thin wedge of United States Republican-style voter suppression and winning elections unfairly.
Bill Sundhu
Kamloops
