Comox Valley Echo Friday, March 28, 2014 A9
News
Protesters raise alarm over ‘undemocratic’ proposed voting law By Drew A. Penner Echo Staff Canadian voters were subjected to months upon months over coverage about efforts by conservatives to prevent large swaths of the population from voting south of the border during the last presidential election, as the practice of tightening voter ID laws came under fire by late night commentators and American news channels. Now Canadian citizen groups say the practice could take root here under the guise of the Fair Elections Act, proposed in Bill C23. “It’s the Canadian wave of the American voter suppression machine,” said Jay Baker-French, a volunteer organizer with LeadNow. ca in Courtenay. “It’s hardly veiled what they’re attempting to do.” About 40 protesters gathered downtown Courtenay in the rain outside the old offices of Vancouver Island North MP John Duncan March 25 in a national day of action against the so-called Fair Elections Act. Categories of people less likely to vote Conservative in the upcoming federal election are targeted by Bill C23, he said, noting presenting passports or voter ID cards or getting someone else to vouch for you would no longer be enough to cast a ballot. “Politics is politics,” he said. “They don’t want these people to vote.” LeadNow.ca has teamed up with
About 40 people gathered to protest Bill C23 which organizers say will hurt youth, aboriginals and seniors. the Council of Canadians and Fair Vote Canada to mount a challenge to the proposed voting law changes as the House comes back into session. “With this bill we’re moving more towards American system of excluding voters,” said Kathie Woodley, a
member of the Comox Valley chapter of the Council of Canadians steering committee. “If this many people showed up on a rainy day that shows a great degree of discontent with what is happening.” The law would also prevent
Elections Canada from telling the public about irregularities it discovers in the voting process, potentially muffling dissent about future robocalls, something that was heard in the Comox Valley as John Duncan campaigned for reelection.
Village Market Day vendor applications for this event are now on line. Vendors of handmade, homemade, fair trade and family friendly goods, crafts, foods, books, plants and flowers, clothing, treats or toys are invited to join local shop keepers for a day long street market attended by residents and visitors from across the Comox Valley and beyond. Live music and hands on art projects are all part of the fun! Community non profits receive a special rate to share their stories and projects. A special invitation is extended to artists, experimentors and community organizations to bring an Elevate vibe to the Village
“A number of people complained to Elections Canada,” she said, noting the Council of Canadians got involved in a legal case featuring a local resident. “A voter in this riding was part of the test case that went forward. Unfortunately the court in the end decided there wasn’t enough evidence the Conservative party was involved.” A protester donned a mask that had the face of John Duncan on one side and the face of Stephen Harper on the other. Others carried a variety of placards. In just a few weeks over 80,000 Canadians have signed petitions urging Conservative MPs to change the bill or scrap it entirely. “This is a very long in-depth ill that’s being proposed in Parliament to change the elections act,” explained Tom Pater, of Courtenay. “The hope is that they’ll withdraw the bill for consultation.” The government says the changes are needed to prevent voter fraud. Dorothy Drubek, of Courtenay, questions whether voter fraud is a legitimate problem and said it will be the most at-risk members of society who will be hurt most. “We are facing a decision by our prime minister to take the right to vote away from very vulnerable people,” she said. “It’s taking away a basic part of our democracy.” Baker-French stood in the rain clutching papers fluttering in the wind and addressed the crowd. “We’re not alone,” he said. “We’re a growing movement.”
streets. Village Market Day is part of the annual Empire Week Celebrations in the Village presented by several vibrant community organizations in the small but mighty Village of Cumberland. Please visit http://www.elevatethearts.com/cumberland-market-day for vendor application forms today. On facebook? Visit Village Market Day
Kids Love Ricky’s A menu kids really like!
VILLAGE MARKET DAY CALL FOR VENDORS
795 Ryan Road • 250.334.9638
Elevate Arts Festival, to bring this special community event to life. This annual street market and spring celebration is a fantastic venue for local merchants, artists, artisans, crafters and creators, community groups, home based businesses, musicians & performers of all sorts to share their wares, show off their goods or tell their stories!
The English Pie Lady &KULVWLQH
GOURMET MEAT PIES FRESH FRUIT 1KG PIES Steak & Kidney, Beef in Guinness, Chicken Curry (3 out of 9 choices)
Dr. Jackson Katz
1570 Webdon Road, oad,, Courtenay y just of Lake Trial Road. T
North America’s leading gender violence educator is coming to the Comox Valley, April 10 & 11
FRESH from the oven Quarter Q pound Pork Sausage Rolls. $3.50 3 3.50 Saturdays 10am - 3pm Call your order in ANYTIME IM ME
The Macho Paradox:
250.334.02755
T h ha e fr s mPie m om o L ar t ve ad ke he d y t
Cumberland’s biggest annual celebration is just around the corner and vending applications are now on-line for Village Market Day, Saturday, May 17th 2014 from 10 am till 4 pm as part of Empire Week Celebrations. This year the businesses of Downtown Cumberland are joining forces with the Elevate Arts Consortium, producers of the
Why some men hurt women and how all men can help
A free public multi-media presentation that focuses on strategies for engaging men and boys in gender violence prevention, on the importance of collaboration with women and the vulnerable, and the powerful role that bystanders can play.
Thursday, April 10 7—9 PM,
NOW OPEN! 7 DAYS A WEEK 9am - 5pm
Mark Isfeld Secondary School Gym No tickets or reservations required Doors open at 6:30 PM.
We want to help you become great Gardeners!
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National Victims of Crime Awareness Week — TAKE ACTION
2012 Anderton Road, COMOX
(on the way to Powell River ferry)
We acknowledge the funding by Justice Canada’s Victims Fund and the support of our project partners:
Comox Valley Transition Society Community Justice Centre Military Family Resource Centre
250-339-4726
Comox Valley Family Services Association RCMP—Comox Valley Detachment CFB Comox Volunteer Comox Valley
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