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New bill shuts voices out of political process |
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Written by -- Matt Pearce
Prince George
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Wednesday, 21 May 2008 |
In just a little over a week from now our government will be forcing passage of a very undemocratic and partisan piece of legislation in Bill 42. The bill is designed to ensure that only political parties are allowed to spend substantial sums of money to advance their views prior to a provincial election.
Citizens, community organizations, unions and businesses will have extreme limits forced on what they can spend. In practice, the only way to get some voices heard will be unpaid advertising or by donating to the political parties.
While shutting down voices outside of political parties, Bill 42 raises the limits on what those parties may spend to more than $4 million.
The government has defended this bill by explaining how it will get rid of "American style" politics. How will nearly doubling what political parties can spend while muzzling citizens not lead us further toward a corporate controlled political system?
The kicker on the whole dismal story is that legal observers agree that Bill 42 will not stand up to a court challenge. This means that those of us taxpayers who have our voices taken away will be footing the legal bill for a near certain loss in the courts.
Our three local MLA's should hang their heads in shame for this double injustice. If you don't like to be told to shut up, make sure you take Bill 42 into consideration when you are asked for your support next spring.
-- Matt Pearce
Prince George
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 21 May 2008 )
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