At the whim of the Prince

Submitted by Bob Rae on Tue, 07/31/2007 - 07:31.

Stephen Harper's decision to call some by-elections in Quebec and not others in B.C. and Ontario is without precedent. How ironic that the one time champion of parliamentary accountability and fixed election dates would use the unreformed law on by-elections as an opportunity to exercise his personal power in a whimsical and arbitrary way. He does it because he can and because he believes he can get away with it.

The excuse of the Ontario election is just that - an excuse. The federal by-elections could have been called, and held long before campaigning began in earnest in Ontario.

The by-election laws need to be changed to prevent the abuse of power. But the point is not to criticize Mr Harper - it is to defeat him.

Byelections

Submitted by Graham Orpwood on Fri, 08/03/2007 - 00:51.

Do I take it from your comment that you and the Liberal Party of Canada are committed to changing the practice (as used by all former Liberal PMs as well as by the present Conservative one) of calling byelections at times that seem to be best suited to themselves?

If you are, then I am happy. If it actually happens, I shall be amazed!