Stephen Harper and his minions have been complaining loudly about the power of "special interests." But, Steve Sullivan writes:
When Stephen Harper headed up the National Citizens Coalition, he filed a constitutional challenge against the Elections Act. He claimed the law’s spending limits on third-party advertising during elections was an infringement on his freedom of expression rights as guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
According to the logic offered up by many Conservatives lately, what the boss did back in 2000 amounted to an attempt to undermine Parliament. Dan Albas, the Conservative MP for Okanagan-Coquihalla, recently told CBC that interest groups are trying to “… do an end-run around our democratic process and turn to the courts where it seems some judges are quite happy to engage. This can result in decisions contrary to what have been decided in our democratic process.”
The Harperites are nothing, if not hypocritical. They would prefer that there was no Supreme Court to second guess their decisions. However:
The courts play an essential role in our democracy by interpreting and applying the laws passed by government — acting as both check and balance on the other two branches of government, the executive and legislative. No true democracy anywhere in the world gives governments unlimited powers. In Canada, the job of the courts is to make sure that what the government does is consistent with the charter and the Constitution. Our legal rights mean precisely nothing if governments can override them simply by passing a law.
While they loudly celebrated the anniversary of the War of 1812, they let the 25th and the 30th anniversaries of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms pass without notice, even though,
time and again, Canadians have told parties and pollsters that they treasure the Charter of Rights — that it’s part of the bedrock of our society, something that unites us.
But Stephen Harper has never been about uniting us. He has found success by dividing us. And, if he could abolish the Charter, he would.
4 comments:
If Harper can grab control of the Supreme Courts? Canada would then be, Harper's Thousand Year Fourth Reich. Harper is no Conservative, he even lied about that.
Dictators pretty much have very similar characteristics and personalities. They are also, paranoid control freaks. Harper's security bill has doubled. So, Harper knows he is evil and is despised.
Harper fits the personality of a dictator, right to a T.
If I were younger? I would lead the revolution to Ottawa and throw Herr Harper and his henchmen, right off the planet.
I understand your sentiments, Anon. But that's a task not easily accomplished.
Anon,
Nice thought but no we are after all united as Canadians. Once thought of as peacekeepers but now reviled under Steve's lead as lap dogs of the American/Israeli Imperial war against the free and peaceful nations of the world.
Yes Harper needs a swift kick in the rear end of his pants but sweet mother of god at the polls at voting time.
All dictators detest that which reins them in Harper is no different if he could suspend the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and overthrow the Supreme Court of Canada he would in less time than it takes to make one heart beat.
Anon encourage all your non-voting friends and acquaintances May 2015 is the time to come out of their turtle shell and now is the time to tell Steve it's time to leave with our mutual vote.
Vote anything but Con.
I personally hope that the people and citizens of Calgary Alberta Canada have enough sense left in their head not to re-elect Harper in Calgary South.
Would that not be great? A con-party without a legally elected leader?
Owen,
Is this diplomatic enough? I trust it is. ;)
Mogs
Yes, Mogs, that's diplomatic enough.
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