There’s nothing fair about the federal Fair Elections Act

It should come as no surprise that Stephen Harper’s Conservatives have unilaterally decided to go after Elections Canada in their latest attempt to “strengthen” our democracy. After all, in every election in which Harper has run for prime minister, there has been a serious conflict between his Conservative Party and Elections Canada over broken electoral rules.

The “in-and-out” scheme, the robocalls scandal, inappropriate campaign spending, conflicts of interest — since 2006, Elections Canada has had to investigate numerous cases involving wrong- doing by Conservative MPs and ministers, investigations that have produced results.

With its euphemistically named Fair Elections Act, the Conservatives have managed to introduce one of the worst electoral bills to date. Among other things, it would strip Elections Canada of its investigative powers when, in fact, those powers need to be improved; increase the limit of political donations (they apparently haven’t been paying attention to the Charbonneau commission); and disenfranchise youth, seniors and aboriginal voters.

Canadians are not fools. They know the Conservatives are loading the dice in their favour. Every single one of these measures stands to unduly benefit their party.

In fact, according to a recent poll, 62 per cent of respondents said the legislation was being proposed because “the Conservative government is motivated politically and dislikes Elections Canada.” Even Preston Manning, the former Reform Party leader, has stated that Harper’s government is heading in the wrong direction.

But the most baffling provision is the one that prevents Elections Canada from educating Canadians about their vote or encouraging them to take part in this fundamental democratic duty.

I say “baffling” because at a time when political cynicism is rampant and electoral participation is at historic lows, how can they possibly try to convince us that this will enhance our democracy?

“Getting Canadians to vote is the responsibility of political parties,” they say. I beg to differ. To think this way is to relegate this essential democratic principle to a simple act of petty partisan politics — and it doesn’t work.

In the last election, all major parties ran “get out the vote” campaigns, and yet voter turnout barely hit 60 percent.

In the last election, all major parties ran “get out the vote” campaigns, and yet voter turnout barely hit 60 per cent. We need an independent and non-partisan Elections Canada to launch campaigns and programs to encourage all Canadians to vote.

Pierre Poilievre, the minister of democratic reform, has said that he wants “everyday citizens in charge of democracy.” I agree — but the meas- ures being proposed by the Conservatives would do the exact opposite.

By raising the ceiling on contributions to political parties to a maximum of $1,500 (whereas in Quebec it’s set at $100), all this will do is favour the wealthy.

If candidates are beholden to big industry and well-connected insiders, how can one truly speak of a representative democracy in this country?

What’s worse, the Conservatives are making it legal for parties to avoid declaring their expenses for soliciting donations during an electoral campaign. Given their track record as serial cheaters, it’s not hard to imagine that this will open up a whole new scam for them to spend millions above the limit, as there is no way for Elections Canada to properly monitor this.

Their past of bending the law and then going after independent actors simply to stave off prosecution shows just how gangrenous this type of behaviour can be. They could in effect end up stealing upcoming elections with impunity. We are not living in an episode of House of Cards. Canadians deserve better. We deserve a government that acts in the best interests of its people, and that strives to improve our democracy, not weaken it.

New Democrats will not take this reform lying down, and neither should you. Close to 10,000 Canadians have already signed our petition to send the federal government back to the drawing board, and I hope you join your voice to the growing discontent.

By working together, we can stand up for our democracy and defeat this unfair elections act.