05) STOP THE TORY STEAMROLLER

 

People's Voice Editorial

 

            A new Angus Reid Global poll finds that most Canadians do not trust the motives of the Conservative government in introducing Bill C-23, the "Fair Elections Act". Nearly two‑thirds (62%) say the Tories are motivated by their dislike of Elections Canada. Less than one-third believe the Tories are making a genuine attempt to improve elections.

 

            Despite such massive public scepticism, Canadians are almost evenly divided over the legislation's dangers and alleged "benefits". Clearly, the Tories will drive ahead with this attempt to steal the next election before the writ is even dropped. Such a strategy fits their overall approach of fanning cynicism and apathy. In Harperland, as with the U.S. Republicans, the ideal form of democracy is the one with the lowest voter turnout.

 

            That's why the Conservatives don't really care that just one in eight (12%) of respondents in the Reid poll say the Harper government has improved the democratic process. Increased public scepticism usually translates into a lower turnout, except among higher‑income right-wing voters.

 

            The contents of Bill C-23 make this strategy crystal clear. For example, the justification for scrapping "vouching" procedures is now an admitted lie; it turns out a Tory MP hallucinated that whopper about people digging voter cards out of the garbage. But the anti‑vouching clause is going ahead, along with other measures to discourage voting.

 

            The Harper recipe includes a mix of threats against critics, sabotage of the electoral system, jingoistic nonsense, and outrageous lies. Many Canadians are working to mobilize resistance against the Harper agenda, but calls to wait for an NDP or Liberal victory undermine these efforts. It's time for the leadership of the labour movement, in particular, to get on board and build grassroots anti‑Conservative sentiments into a powerful struggle to win a genuine People's Alternative.

 

(The above article is from the March 16-31, 2014, issue of People's Voice, Canada's leading socialist newspaper. Articles can be reprinted free if the source is credited. Subscription rates in Canada: $30/year, or $15 low income rate; for U.S. readers - $45 US per year; other overseas readers - $45 US or $50 CDN per year. Send to People's Voice, c/o PV Business Manager, 706 Clark Drive, Vancouver, BC, V5L 3J1.)