The ruling Conservative government majority on a Canadian Commons committee has set a three-day deadline for redrafting legislation that will change election laws. A time frame so tight the Official Opposition NDP party is calling it a farce.
Joe Preston, the Conservative committee chairman, says almost 300 amendments to Bill C-23 have been submitted, comprising hundreds of pages, to be voted on in committee by 5PM on Thursday.
The government insists the controversial Fair Elections Act will eliminate voter fraud and tighten rules on election spending.
Critics, including the opposition parties, say the legislation actually takes away the right to vote to upwards of hundreds of thousands of Canadians, opens loopholes in election spending rules, and will favour the ruling Conservative government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The next federal election is in 2015.
The Minister of State for Democratic Reform Pierre Poilievre calls the legislation a “common sense bill”, but because of the almost unanimous condemnation of the changes, has promised some changes.
More information:
CBC News – Elections bill changes to come within 3 days, Conservatives say – here
Globe and Mail – An open letter from academics on the Fair Elections Act – here
Globe and Mail – Academics call on Tories to drop Fair Elections Act – here
National Post – Don’t undermine Elections Canada (January open letter) – here
C-23 – Fair Elections Act – status of bill – here
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