The federal Conservatives seem to be using sticks rather than carrots to make sure would-be election candidates are on their best behaviour. According to the party's nomination rules and procedures - which were distributed to riding associations this past June - candidates must make out a $1,000 cheque payable to the Conservative Fund Canada to "serve as a Good Conduct Bond." Those who follow those rules and procedures will get their cheque back. But it's tough luck for those who don't. And the news is even worse for candidates who win less than 10 percent of the vote at a nomination meeting. They have to relinquish their $1,000 "Non-Frivolous Bond." Which means troublemakers who want to run for the Conservatives for shits and giggles are going to be out $2,000. Ouch!
Spare the rod and spoil the child
February 14, 2007
Interesting news Sean. I wonder though, how a forced $1000 or $2000 donation (assuming a forfeited bond would be legally treated as a political donation) would mesh with this new $1000/year donation limits brought in under the accountability act?
Since when do the Conservatives care what Elections Canada thinks? We all remember how they broke the rules when it came to declaring convention fees. Hmmm ... what happened to the head of Elections Canada who insisted on enforcing those rules? Oh yeah ... he got fired.
I'm sure they intend their same line of defence ..."Even though it is money paid to a political party, it shouldn't be counted as a political contribution!" Another Hmmmmm... if they get away with that, perhaps they can start charging "Policy input fees" to corporations for $10,000 to get around the political donation restriction under the accountability act.
Hey, not to worry.
Harper's got it all under control. Once he has all his hand-picked Tory judges appointed across Canada there'll be little need to worry about election oddities, even if you wanted to.
"Hey, not to worry.
Harper's got it all under control. Once he has all his hand-picked Tory judges appointed across Canada there'll be little need to worry about election oddities, even if you wanted to."
Just as it was with Jean Chretien and no worries
about immigration decisions because of his "non partisan" appointments to the Immigration Boards?
or, no worries about legislation or policy oddities, even if you wanted to, because of the Liberal appointments to the Senate.
What Harper has decided to do is dumb, but the Liberals have no value in complaining about something they had down to a science.
You've made a big jump blue boy, from immigration board to judicial committees in charge of appointing Canadian judges. The prior system, which was initially put in place by Mulrooney in '86 and tightened by Chretien in '95, allowed for little political oversight into the appointments. By altering the makeup and removing the judicial representative to a speakers role only (unless somehow there's a tie vote among 7 others!) he has tipped the scale in favour of his extra member... Sly but what did he say just before election day last year? "Don't worry about us being scary (paraphrase is mine, but the feeling was shared by about 64% of the voting populace) the judges will be our checks and balance."