Democracy Gone Astray

Democracy, being a human construct, needs to be thought of as directionality rather than an object. As such, to understand it requires not so much a description of existing structures and/or other related phenomena but a declaration of intentionality.
This blog aims at creating labeled lists of published infringements of such intentionality, of points in time where democracy strays from its intended directionality. In addition to outright infringements, this blog also collects important contemporary information and/or discussions that impact our socio-political landscape.

All the posts here were published in the electronic media – main-stream as well as fringe, and maintain links to the original texts.

[NOTE: Due to changes I haven't caught on time in the blogging software, all of the 'Original Article' links were nullified between September 11, 2012 and December 11, 2012. My apologies.]

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Vancouver law firm wants investigation after Conservatives hire Australian campaign manager

A Vancouver law firm is seeking an investigation from Canada’s Chief Election Officer, following the federal Conservative Party’s decision to employ an Australian campaign manager.

The Conservatives say Lynton Crosby has been helping Stephen Harper’s campaign team since March, primarily with analysis of polling data.

Lawyer Jim Quail doesn’t think it’s right.

“The Canada Elections Act makes it unlawful for someone who isn’t a Canadian citizen or resident to be in any way engaged in or inducing people to vote for a candidate or not for a candidate.”

Quail says the Canada Elections Act prohibits interference by foreigners during the election period, where are in any way inducing voters to vote for or against any candidates.

“If the role that this fellow is placed in is involved in any way with the process of inducing people to vote for a Conservative candidate, we’re saying the Chief Electoral Officer should take a look at this and make sure the law is enforced.”

However, a spokeswoman for the commissioner of elections has told The Canadian Press providing advice to a campaign or working for a campaign is not considered inducement.

Quail isn’t buying that explanation.

He says the idea s.331 of the Act is restricted to corrupt practices just doesn’t make any sense.

Original Article
Source: cknw.com/
Author: Matt Lee

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