🇨🇦 In 2014 Harper's Government passed the Fair Elections Act (Bill C-23). The Fair Elections Act strips Elections Canada the nonpartisan government body responsible for administering elections, of its authority to actively encourage citizens to vote – a matter, we’re told, that is the responsibility of political parties to promote. And on voting day, incumbent candidates and not Elections Canada will appoint polling supervisors. This hardly smells like democracy. Then there is the muzzling of the chief electoral officer, restricting the role to speaking publicly on just five ‘safe’ topics such as ‘how to become a candidate’ and ‘how to cast a ballot’. Specifically removed is the role’s power to alert the public to problems during an election and to raise awareness of the electoral process, particularly to “persons and groups most likely to experience difficulties in exercising their democratic rights” as previously outlined in the Elections Act. No coincidence then that these very groups - indigenous peoples, the disabled, students living away from home and transients, are not traditionally Harper supporters. 1.5 hrs left. #govote #electionday #canadaelection2015 #keepharperout #VOTE 🇨🇦
