Equal Rights for All Means Equal Punishments Too

I have nothing against Native people. I know about their history and can see why they are upset at our government for acts done wrong in the past, however, they are not above the law.

I know this is a touchy issue, and I do not want to step over any lines, but in my opinion, Native protesters that disrupt public property and infringe on others' rights should be punished like every other Canadian would be.

We watched a video in class showing Native demonstrators pushing over cars and ripping up roads. Now, in Brantford, construction sites are being torn apart and protesters are becoming violent. Yet in both of these cases, no protesters were prosecuted.

There are many protests occurring in Canada at present, but if white, black, asian etc. peoples were to demonstrate the behaviours that some Native protesters have done (such as those mentioned above), they would indeed be arrested immediately and charges laid. However, it seems that Native protesters do not have to abide by the laws all other Canadians live by. I think that is completely wrong. There are more effective ways of demonstrating. Using violence is NOT the answer.

I also think that our government is being completely irresponsible for not doing anything about these protesters. I don't care what origin or descent these people are, if they are breaking CANADIAN laws IN CANADA, then they should be treated and prosecuted the same way as EVERYONE ELSE. I think giving Natives a slap on the wrist is causing more trouble. The protests haven't ended and no one is happy.

In my opinion, our law enforcement officials and our government need to start treating Native protesters as they would any other protesters. If they break the law, they should have to serve their time and pay that price. No questions. No expceptions.

Erin

Stay True to Yourself Canada!

A headline today really caught my attention…do you know that it’s been 32 years since the death penalty was abolished in Canada? I had no idea it was that long ago…actually, though it is hard to admit, I assumed since there are still some states in America that have the death penalty, that Canada didn’t abolish this law until recently.

Maybe it’s not even the fact that the death penalty has been abolished that attracted me to this article, but the fact that we did something before the Americans…I love Canada, please do not get me wrong, but we have a tendency to lay low and follow the ways of our “neighbours to the south.” Is it out of fear that if we make our own decisions we will tick them off? Personally, I think that wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. In my opinion, it seems like Canada is too afraid to take a stand against the Americans because we are too dependent on their support. I understand that having an ally like USA is beneficial, but when we start second-guessing our culture and important decisions, and look toward the south for an example to go by, we are cheating ourselves.

Canada is known around the world as a peace-keeping country and personally, I’d like to keep it that way. By staying so close to the Americans and replicating/supporting their controversial ways (ex: still fighting in Iraq), we are slowly damaging our notable reputation and eventually we are going to be seen as a subsidiary of America.

We need a leader who will defend Canada and help us redefine our core values and let the rest of the world know that the nation of Canada is independent of all others and will remain that way for a long time. Just my opinion…what do you think?

Erin

Source:
“Death Penalty Abolished in Canada.” CBC.ca. 14 Jul 08. CBC News. 17 Jul 08.

Mandatory Voting in Canada

The foundation of Canadian democracy is progressively deteriorating, giving rise to a chilling national crisis. The staggering decline in voter turnout during elections has generated negative attention and drastic measures are imperative to ensure Canada remains a truly democratic nation. I recently came across an article by Mac Harb, a Canadian member of the Senate who sponsored a bill calling for the introduction of a compulsory voting system in Canada. He introduced Bill S-22 as a “direct response to a rising electoral crisis,” as voter turnout has been on the decline in Canada since the 1960s, reaching a record low of just 60.9 per cent in the 2004 election. After dismissing the bill, the Canadian government claimed to realize the significance of declining voter turnout, and vowed to implement a strategy to encourage citizens to vote, especially youth. However, their vital plan resulted in an overall increase of only 3.8 per cent more voters in the 2006 federal election…some plan, eh? We need a better “plan”.

At first, I found myself disagreeing with Harb. However, after researching this topic further, I now support a compulsory voting system. Canada is in desperate need of some sort of action to inspire Canadians and motivate them to become invested in their country and this seems to be the most effective, logical solution.

The most common criticism against compulsory voting is that such a system would violate individual “rights”. First, the majority of people fail to recognize that technically, no one is forced to vote in a compulsory voting system. The only mandatory provision is the obligation to go to a polling place. Second, voting needs to be seen as a civic duty and not simply a dispensable right that can be refused. We have a right to a fair trial but we have a responsibility to serve on juries to protect that right. We have the right to universal health care, but we have the responsibility to pay taxes for that service. These are all examples of mandatory duties with reasonable limits that we put on our freedom to ensure the success of our society.

Compulsory voting enhances political participation and our Canadian democracy depends upon that active participation of citizens. According to Elections Canada, only one in four Canadians under the age of 25 voted in the 2004 Federal election. Implementing a compulsory voting system would enhance political participation by motivating Canadians of all ages to become more involved in the future direction of their country. The notion that a single vote truly can make a difference will lead Canadians to change their attitudes and pay increased attention to critical issues and political matters. People cite many reasons not to vote, such as lack of time and disdain for politicians, however, those who want to express their dissatisfaction with politicians or with the system by not voting will do so much more clearly by cancelling their ballot or putting an X beside ‘none of the candidates. And my life is hectic too…but I can spare 5 minutes to exercise a significant right my ancestors fought so hard for.

Compulsory voting would also ensure every Canadian voter has equal liberties despite age, race, education, gender and wealth. Research shows the lower electoral participation is, the higher inequalities are in terms of educational attainments and social class in the electorate. If voting is not mandatory, unequal electoral participation increases, and if the majority of voters are only representative of a particular group, then the elected officials are not representative of the entire country. Compulsory voting would ensure every citizen had their voice heard and, similar to a referendum, there would be no question as to what the people want.

There are also concrete examples to look at the success of a compulsory voting system. Thirty democracies around the world claim to have compulsory voting. Among those countries are Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Greece, Singapore, Switzerland and Uruguay, to name a few. Australia’s compulsory voting system was established in 1924 in response to declining voter turnout and now there is a consistent turnout of over 90 per cent in their national elections. Furthermore, polls in Australia show that 80 per cent of Australians support the mandatory system and do not see it as an infringement on their rights.

Adopting a compulsory voting system is the best solution for Canada to ensure it remains a truly democratic nation. There is an inherent responsibility attached to the privilege of living in a democratic society and the benefits of implementing such a system far outweigh any costs in the long run. We must change the attitudes and behaviours of the Canadian people to view voting as a civic duty rather than an expendable right and the critical need for enhanced voter participation and equal liberties must be addressed immediately in order to guarantee our freedoms. We need a signal from the Canadian government that voting is still an important element of our democratic system, and compulsory voting is our most logical solution. Just my opinion…

Erin

Sources:
Elections Canada. 2006. Report of the chief electoral officer of Canada on the 39th general election of January 23, 2006. Ottawa: Elections Canada.

Harb, Mac. 2005. The case for mandatory voting in Canada. Canadian Parliamentary Review 28, (2) (Summer): 4-6.

Will the Next Great Leader Please Stand Up?

What makes a great leader? A desire to create change? Patience and persistence? Aspiration for unity?

Whatever it is, in my opinion, we have yet to see any of the qualities listed above in a Canadian prime minister in a long time…

This country requires stability but lacks any real leadership—at least among those holding the highest positions of power in Canada. Every four years roughly 50% Canadians trudge to the polls to choose the lesser of evils to run their country. Voting is boring. The promises are boring. The party leaders are boring. Ever wonder why Canadians pay more attention to American politics than they do their own? Because American party leaders are just that…leaders. They may not be the greatest role models *cough* Bush *cough*, but they at least take a stand on tough issues and inspire change in the American people.

During election time in Canada, parties simply “promote” themselves by criticizing other parties…“I may have done this wrong, but Jimmy did this and that was much worse.” When will this ridiculous game end?

Though I do not know a great deal about Pierre Trudeau, I have learned through this course and through biographies that he was a true leader. Trudeau was not afraid to express his genuine opinions and beliefs, and he was not afraid to handle the criticism from those who disagreed with him. Trudeau understood he would never be able to satisfy the needs of everyone, but he proposed ideas and took action, both of which he believed would transform Canada and help it become a truly notable nation.

Whether or not people agreed with all of Trudeau’s plans for change, he at least brought new ideas to the table and wasn’t afraid to defend them.

Canada needs a true leader, someone who will not only inspire change, but will also create it. Opinions?

Erin

The Dion Carbon Tax

I don’t know how I have been able to avoid this topic until now, as the mass media has been buzzing about it for more than a month, but I think it is time I get up to speed. There are a plethora of articles, news stories and radio shows discussing the outlooks and ramifications of the Dion Carbon Tax. I have researched numerous pieces and decided to focus on three key questions:

What is a carbon tax? What will it do? Do Canadians want this?

First, a little history and a brief explanation of a carbon tax. A carbon tax is an example of a Pigovian tax, created by British economist Arthur Pigou. When an activity has a negative social cost, Pigou argued that it “should be taxed because that provides an incentive to stop the social harm and move to more positive alternatives” (Carbon Taxes).

Liberal party leader, Stéphane Dion, wants to implement a tax on damaging fossil fuels in hopes of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change. The so-called “profits” from this tax jive with the idea that the “polluter pays” for green initiatives. So, is this a good thing? Should Canadians support this tax?

Many environmentalists have been advocating for a way to change industry and consumer behaviour to be more energy efficient. Therefore, they believe this tax will help Canada drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ultimately comply with the requirements of the Kyoto protocol. An article written by Philippe Crabbé, an Economics professor at the University of Ottawa, lists various reasons why Canadians should adopt the Dion carbon tax; renowned economists support it and it is Dion’s response to a Conservative request for a way to cut greenhouse gases by 60-65 % in 2050, an international target.

On the other hand, the Conservative website refers to the tax as a “permanent new job-killing tax on gas, electricity and everything else that [consumers] buy.” In an article by CBC.ca, Harper says the tax will “screw everybody” and will “recklessly harm the economy and the economic position of every Canadian family.” Others who oppose the proposed carbon tax believe it would be the single largest tax hike in Canadian history and would only serve to provide Dion with the money his party so desperately needs.

Personally, I was initially against the tax because it meant higher prices for essential energy items—and I don’t know about the rest of you, but higher anything means more working hours! However, now that I have read both sides of the argument, I am in favour of the tax. Sure, money is a tough issue, but I would rather work a little harder and pay a little extra if it meant helping to create a healthier environment for our future generations.

Erin

Sources:

“Carbon taxes: Cash grab or climate saviour?” CBC.ca. 19 June 2008. CBC News. 29 June 2008 http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/06/18/f-carbon-tax.html.

“Dion Carbon Tax.” Conservative.ca. 20 May 2008. Conservative Party of Canada. 28 June 2008 http://www.conservative.ca/EN/2459/100134.

Crabbé, Philippe. “Dion's carbon tax plan is brilliant.” Ottawa Citizen. 29 June 2008. CanWest Publishing Inc. 29 June 2008 http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/letters/story.html?id=89991fa0-c406-4f33-930b-928a20529558.

“PM: Dion's carbon tax would 'screw everybody'.” CBC.ca. 20 June 2008. CBC News. 28 June 2008 http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/06/20/harper-carbon.html?ref=rss.

Kyoto & the Canadian Government

I am not an expert on politics as I’m sure you know by now, however, when I stumbled across an article about Canada’s obligations remaining unmet by our current government, I became perplexed. The CBC's article entitled “Green group accuses Conservatives of ignoring Kyoto law” sparked my interest about Canada’s investment in the environment. To me, our future looks pretty cloudy (no pun intended…ok maybe it was).

I am already aware that Canada has not been keeping up with its promises under the Kyoto protocol, which I think is awful. Canada is full of renewable resources and yet we refuse to join other countries and reduce our emissions to protect the overall world environment. Again, I am not an expert, but I believe there are MANY more ways our government can reduce emissions in Canada. Not to mention, we never should have signed such an agreement in the first place if we knew those goals were unattainable.

Arguments have been made that the Liberal government signed the Kyoto protocol—not the Conservatives, therefore, we should not expect the Conservatives to meet goals agreed upon by the Liberals. However, many different political parties have made many agreements/policies in Canada and new governments are obliged to abide by those laws…so why should Kyoto be any different?

While reading the aforementioned article, I came across a quote from a Department of Justice lawyer that states, “The act is one of a number of several ‘unusual’ statutes that Parliament did not expect the courts to enforce.” The government did not expect the courts to enforce a LAW?? Suddenly the excuse “My dog ate my homework” doesn’t seem so absurd…

I am so tired and I am so ashamed of the plethora of excuses politicians have. I hate that our government is able to pick and choose which laws they follow and those they do not. Kyoto was created for a reason. Other countries signed Kyoto for a reason. Canada agreed to Kyoto for a reason. I believe if the politicians spent less time and money in unnecessary court battles, not only could we start mending our tainted national appearance, but we could also reduce our emissions and live in a cleaner and healthier environment. Just my opinion.

Source: “Green group accuses Conservatives of ignoring Kyoto law.” CBC.ca. Associated Press. 18 Jun 08 .

Harper's Apology

On June 14, 2008, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper publicly addressed Inuit about the residential school system assimilation policy enforced by the Canadian government for more than a century. In five different languages, three of which were of Inuit culture, Harper proclaimed, "The Government of Canada sincerely apologizes and asks the forgiveness of the aboriginal peoples of this country for failing them so profoundly."

Though some believe Harper’s speech was nothing more than another attempt to make himself look good, Assembly of First Nations Chief Phil Fontaine said the apology marked "a new dawn" in race relations. After decades of having their children isolated, removed from their homes and in some cases abused, the Inuit leaders welcomed the apology from our Prime Minister, vowed to learn from the experience, and wanted to press on.

To me, the simple apology by the Prime Minister and the forgiveness by the Inuit leaders were truly inspirational. People can view this event in any which way they please, but to me, this simple act of recognition for acts done wrong, and the desire to move on and initiate change serves as a cornerstone not only in Canadian-Inuit relations, but is also an effective strategy for resolving similar conflicts. Agree?

Source: O’Neill, Juliet. “‘New Dawn’ in race relations.” Ottawa Citizen.com. CanWest News Services. 18 Jun 08

Lay Off the Politicians

I have always had an interest in politics and many family members say it would be a great career path for me because I am opinionated, loud and outspoken—I possess all the key characteristics of a politician! However, the more I consider a career in politics, the more perplexed I become. There are times when I feel so frustrated with our government and just want to go in there and change everything myself! Then there are times where I wouldn’t want to be any part of such a thankless job.

I understand that politicians hold an important position of authority, and I recognize that they are aware of the pressures they have to deal with and the obstacles they must face in such a position, however, I do not believe that prior knowledge ever prepares them fully for the persecution by the media or the intrusion on their personal lives.

It does not surprise me that capable leaders shy away from politics. Politicians have to make numerous decisions on behalf of an entire country; he/she could make fifty acceptable decisions but the one time he/she takes a stand and/or makes a decision about a controversial issue, lobbyists, activist groups and the press attack. Furthermore, politicians need to constantly analyze the words they say or the people or phrases they agree with or disagree with. One mistake and there goes their entire career. Everyone makes mistakes. Everyone. So, why then is our civilized society so unforgiving toward politicians? How does one simple mistake warrant the termination of a lifetime of work? I am not advocating that politicians should be allowed to make frequent mistakes and be reprimanded simply by a slap on the wrist, but our society should not be so quick to judge those who hold a higher level of power. It’s as if we place our politicians on a pedestal and just wait for them to fall.

I also do not believe that because someone is placed in a position of authority that person should have to disclose all aspects of his/her life to the entire world. The rest of Canadians are entitled to their privacy, so why should that right be eliminated for a politician? Though we hear about countless political scandals especially those involving adultery, who are we to judge them? There are probably thousands of people cheating on their significant others right now, but their scandals are not being documented and printed on the front page of national newspapers. I do not condone lying or adultery, but why are scandals involving politicians so much more scandalous and appalling than scandals by normal, working-class people?

In my opinion, Canada needs a true leader to step forward and take charge of the country, however, I do not blame anyone for not wanting to choose the life of a politician. Until we change the way we view and treat our elected officials, it could be quite some time until we find a great leader to take our country to the next level and steer us in the right direction. Again, that’s just my opinion.

Erin

Direct Democracy & Referendums

I was young at the time, but I do remember watching with my family, the results of the 1995 referendum, which asked, "Do you agree that Québec should become sovereign after having made a formal offer to Canada for a new economic and political partnership within the scope of the bill respecting the future of Québec and of the agreement signed on June 12, 1995?" I never dreamed the results would have been so close: 50.58% voted "No" and 49.42% voted "Yes". Looking more closely at this event now (and with more education behind me), I realize that many people, including myself, demonstrate the false consensus effect when it comes to our opinions on important issues: we think what we value is what the majority of Canadians value as well. However, it became alarmingly clear after the results of the 1995 referendum that the country was split about this particular issue. Therefore, it makes me wonder what other decisions are being made by the government (without holding a referendum) that are opposed by a large number of Canadians. This is the main reason I believe Canada should hold more referendums.

Though I have little knowledge about politics in other countries, Switzerland seems to be heading in the right direction in terms of changing the definition of democracy. Switzerland has adopted direct democracy, which gives the Swiss people a voice on issues as they arise instead of simply electing a representative every four years and trusting that person to make their decisions between elections. I believe people have lost faith in the political system (even though we are considered a democratic country) because they generally feel as if their voice, their opinion and their vote are meaningless. A lot of political parties are against direct democracy because they believe citizens are incapable of making emotional or financial decisions, but this is simply not true. For example, in Switzerland, there was a referendum to increase petrol tax and it was accepted even though it affected the voters’ personal funds.

I understand that direct democracy is still a relatively new concept but I believe it is possible to implement in Canada—or we should at least try it. Having referendums will help increase political awareness, which will hopefully generate a greater sense of control and purpose among citizens, and though current government decisions can be ambiguous, having referendums will leave no questions about what the people want.

All in all, I know direct democracy will not be a flawless process, but I believe it is a step in the right direction for Canada. We are in desperate need of a boost to our awareness and interest in Canadian politics and I believe by holding referendums, we will encourage citizens to gain a deeper knowledge of current issues and instil a sense of responsibility for our country’s future.

O Canada, Our Home & Native Land...

Canada is considered one of the greatest countries in the world because of our peacekeeping strategies and our overall pleasant demeanor. Canada is world-renowned for being a peaceful country; we can travel to places relatively easily and expect our encounters to be fairly trouble-free and uncomplicated. When I was in France a couple years ago, we went on a bus tour with a group of adults from all across Europe. Though we made small talk along the way, it wasn’t until we mentioned we were Canadians that their expressions changed and they started chatting up a storm. One woman even said she thought we were Americans because we were “so white”; she then apologized for being cold and explained how she was reluctant to speak to us because she did not ever want to make friends with an American. I was shocked but thankful I come from a country that has such a great reputation in the world. Please don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against Americans, but I experienced an overwhelming sense of relief and comfort in a country halfway around the world from mine. I felt as if I were treated in a more friendly manner simply because people associated me with their idealistic view of Canadians.

So, this brings me to my question for all of you…why? We are still considered a fairly new country compared to those in Europe and have made a remarkable impression in the past 150 years, but what has Canada done to achieve such a humbling status? Who has helped form this view? Service workers? Volunteers? Diplomats? Prime ministers?

I am fairly new to politics and will be researching this topic on my own, but I am curious to know your opinions as to why Canada has such a strong reputation in the world. Or maybe you don't think we do...either way, let me know!

Erin

To Vote or Not to Vote?

To me, there is no question. Maybe it was the way I was raised, maybe my instilled values, or maybe part of my character, either way, the answer is simple: You vote.

During election time, every extended family dinner results in a heated debate about campaigning political parties and a predictable speech instilling the importance of a single vote. Perhaps also my outward attitude and frustration with everything wrong in this world compels me to vote, but I believe voting is a privilege and you have absolutely no right to complain about anything if you do not voice your opinion and vote.

History of the Vote
It is important to note that Canada was not always a truly democratic nation. In the early years of Confederation, many politicians used the current economical state to bribe voters with money, food and shelter. Furthermore, priests promised hell and employers threatened unemployment to those who did not vote in a particular way. Women were also denied the right to vote in many provinces until they were recognized as equal to men in the Federal elections beginning in 1918.

Though Canada claimed it was a democratic nation, the corrupt ways of politicians and lack of monitored election processes did not allow the majority of Canadians to have a true say in who would represent their country. Many protest groups emerged in the early 1900s and fought for decades to change the way Canadian voters were recognized. Consequently, because of these “freedom fighters”, every Canadian citizen now has the privilege to vote in fair Canadian elections. Therefore, out of respect for those who fought so hard to give me that privilege, I feel an obligation to vote.

Uninformed Voters
Some people may disagree with me that every citizen should vote because they do not want uninformed people randomly voting without knowing the issues and the consequences of their actions—I completely understand that opinion and agree with it entirely. However, I think when it comes to voting, it should not simply mean rushing to the polls, arbitrarily checking a box, and then rushing home to make dinner. Instead, individuals need to improve their overall voting process. Some may view voting as a one-day event where you select a candidate to represent your views in the House of Commons and hope he or she wins. However, that is simply one step of many in the multifaceted and compelling election process. Before you can vote, you need to make an educated decision, and in order to do that, you must gather information on important issues, political platforms, and analyze the potential impact of each party’s presence on your country if elected. You should not vote until you understand the key issues and feel confident in your decision.

Present Day Voting
Now more than ever, it is exceptionally easy to vote. You can vote at the plethora of polling stations, in advance, over the phone—there is even government-sponsored transportation so people who cannot go to a polling station own their own, now can. Even Canadian citizens not currently in the country can vote. There are no excuses.
So the next time an election is announced, start your voting process right away. Determine the important issues, pay attention to candidate/party views, listen to ad campaigns, read articles in the newspaper and just become informed. Only then will you have all the tools necessary to formulate an educated opinion…and VOTE!

Erin

Source:
Elections Canada. A History of the Vote in Canada. Ottawa, ON: Public Works & Government Services, 1997.

My First Post/Course Expectations

Hello everyone!

This is my first blog EVER so please bear with me until I get the hang of this!

I have briefly skimmed over the course outline for PSCI 260 (Introduction to Canadian Politics at the University of Waterloo) so I know that creating (and adding to) a blog is a course requirement, but I do not remember the details of what our blog is to include, touch upon etc. Though the thought of checking my course syllabus crossed my mind, I thought it would be more interesting to post my first blog about why I decided to take this course, what I hope to learn from it etc. before officially beginning a “course requirement” (why does that phrase have has such a negative connotation?)!

Why I Took This Course
I initially took this course because it was compulsory and because it fit nicely into my schedule (taking 5 classes and working over 35 hours a week doesn’t give me much of a choice though)! However, as I read the description more thoroughly, I thought to myself “hey, this seems like a neat intro course to gain a brief overview of the Canadian political system”. I strongly believe in the ‘right to vote’…some of it because of interest in politics, but a lot of it because I was raised to understand the importance of my single vote. I have always had an underlying interest in politics; I have VERY strong opinions on pretty much everything and when I see things going wrong (like a lot of the decisions our government makes *cough*), it makes me want to do something to fix it!

My Expectations of this Course
I hope to learn many things about the Canadian government, its setup, rules, policies etc. so that I can become a more informed voter and a more informed Canadian in general. I would also feel like a hypocrite if I dared voice my opinion on a subject of which I have little to no background on. I believe, as a Canadian, it is my responsibility to be the change I want to see; it is important that I am aware of current issues currently being debated in the country I live in—whether they be issues about religion, economics etc., I want to know what is happening in the world around me.

So, all in all, I want to gain a deeper insight into the Canadian political system, the past issues that have shaped our country and the current concerns facing our world right now.

One more thing I want to note, why does the word “blog” (used in any of its forms) show up as a misspelled word on Microsoft programs…I mean, it’s this whole blogging thing supposed to be “cutting edge” and “a new leading technology” type-thing? Just thought that was rather ironic!

Until next time…

Erin