Thursday, April 24, 2014

Federal Conservatives Escape Again

The Elections Commissioner has halted any further probe into the 2011 federal election robocalls. Canada's elections investigator claims there is insufficient evidence regarding fraudulent robocalls during the 2011 election to warrant charges by the federal public prosecutor.

The long-awaited report from commissioner of elections Yves Cote indicated difficulties investigators faced in gathering evidence in ridings other than Guelph, Ontario, where a single junior Conservative staffer is facing charges.

This entire matter will now not be referred to the federal director of public prosecutions. Cote's decision in this matter is apparently supported by an independent review by a former Supreme Court justice.

So where is the justice when a political party is alleged to have breached election guidelines and there is no process to investigate with the authority necessary to lay charges and make them stick in a court of law?  There is apparently no process in place to compel potential witnesses and parties to fully cooperate with investigators.

The Harper Government is currently in the process of changing election rules in a new and highly controversial Fair Elections Act.  It is apparent the Harper conservatives want to have control over the next federal election.

Cote says Elections Canada needs the power to compel testimony.  This is something the Harper Conservatives have conveniently left out of their controversial new elections overhaul despite calls last year for increased investigative powers.

It is apparent Canada has problems within their own system of government and elections. Recent Senate scandals and election investigations are the proof.  And there is far more to the Harper Government's Fair Elections Act than simply proof of identification before casting a vote in a federal election.

Yesterday the Harper Government announced it is committing to support Ukraine during this important period of transition.  To this end, on April 23, 2014, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced $11 million in support that could see up to 500 observers travel to Ukraine to monitor the upcoming presidential elections.  This support would be targeted towards three new initiatives that will promote democracy in Ukraine in the lead up to the country's presidential elections taking place on May 25, 2014.  How ironic is that?