| Subject: Democracy At Risk: Vote NO to Bill C-24, CanadianConservatives condemns bill C-24 |
Author:
Craig Pichach
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Date Posted: 15:59:02 06/13/03 Fri
Author Host/IP: px1so.cg.shawcable.net/24.71.223.140
CALGARY, June 11th - CanadianConservatives.com condemns bill C-24 and asks Parliamentarians to vote ¡§No¡¨ to the bill.
The controversial bill is designed to shift political party funding from private sources to that of public tax generated funds.
¡§This is a deep and dangerous bill,¡¨ argues Canadian Conservative CONREP Craig Pichach, ¡§In his final months Chretien has shown his true colors in moving to turn the House into a place of perpetual regional opposition parties, perpetual "establishments" in each party and of perpetual cash transfer into Liberal coffers. His rush to implement the bill shows his lack of regard for Canadian democracy. And worse he expects the taxpayers to pay for it.¡¨
Liam O¡¦Brien forcefully continues the argument against C-24: ¡§This bill will take more money from taxpayers. It will limit the donation options of citizens. The one thing it will not do is improve our democratic system. It is a bill designed to empower a small number of people in the PMO's ivory tower at the expense of a large number of legitimate legal entities that are part of our democratic process -- businesses and organizations.¡¨
CONREP Mark Gilroy however was pleased to see some Parliamentarians were already standing up for Canadian democracy. ¡§Canadian Conservatives is pleased to see both the Canadian Reform Conservative Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada speak out against the bill. We hope at the end of the day all Parliamentarians show the same respect for our democracy.¡¨
Disturbing trends within the bill:
„h A cap on individual donations at $5,000 -- down from $10,000. It would also limit corporation and union donations to $1,000. These funds are to be REPLACED with public funds of $1.75 from $1.50 per vote. That change will result in an extra $1.3 million going to the Liberals alone.
„h Public transfer of funds will be based upon last election results, not current party or leaders thus always in favor of the former government with no regard to current policies or support.
„h A one-time, lump-sum public subsidy from general revenue to political parties as of Jan. 1, 2004, to cover the cost of switching to the new system
„h Chretien refused to make was to delay the implementation of the bill, which is set for January 2004. One has to wonder if this rush to build a legacy will in fact cripple Canadian democracy.
„h Money transferred will end up with National Headquarters alone, thus pushing regional distribution of public funds
„h Funds will be transferred based on votes, not seats in the House of Commons, thus potentially pushing Proportional Representation over the Westminster model of democracy.
„h Limitations on the freedom of individuals and institutions with the potential of multiple follow up legal challenges.
The reactions from youth asked to speak on the bill were equally condemning:
James Murphy, federal Progressive Conservative activist, commented to Canadian Conservatives: ¡§Bill C-24 goes completely contrary to the principles of choice and democracy. Beyond that, it is another example of wasteful and avoidable spending by the federal government.¡¨
Jonathan Colford, a PC Youth member from Toronto had these comments: "I'm worried bill C-24 will unjustifiably limit my freedom of association and freedom of expression. Why should unions still be able to use their resources to mobilize volunteers, a non-cash donation which still costs money, yet individual citizens have their monetary contributions curtailed? If my contribution to a political party is best performed through the act of writing a large cheque, why is that worse than a union posting a 5-cent poster in a workplace, which has the effect of calling dozens of protesters out at rallies?¡¨
More comments:
* "Someone with a specialized skill, say accounting, for which he would charge $75 an hour in the private sector, can still contribute that skill for free."
* "Say if I have no skills but I have $75,000 in the bank I would like to contribute, well that contribution is now inadmissible. However, this accountant contributing 1,000 hours in a year can still do that."
* "This to me limits my freedom to associate myself with a political party as I am prevented from contributing what I have. This 'money-phobia' is all the more disturbing in a society based in part on free enterprise."
Tonight Canadian Conservatives asks all parliamentarians to stand up for the rights of Canadians and vote no to Bill C-24.
"This is a wrong-headed bill by a Prime Minister desperate for a legacy. Individual Canadians should not be made to pay the price in the form of limitations on their political self-expression and association."
The Renewal was set up in 2002 to bring together Canadian Conservatives and provide an optimum environment for a younger generation of professional people to discuss politics, support our causes, meet directly with politicians, engage the media and be active in our community. Visit our website at http://www.canadianconservatives.com
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