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February 4, 2004

The Conservative Party of Canada has used a loophole in the Canada Elections Act as the impetus behind a decision by the new party's governing body to allow memberships to be purchased or submitted in bulk by a third party.  According to Jean-Pierre Kingsley, Canada's Chief Electoral Officer, parties can avoid recent changes in the Act designed to counter bulk purchasing simply by being "open about it and stay[ing] within the spending limits."

The federal Liberal party, and more specifically Paul Martin's political operatives, have already faced massive scrutiny over membership irregularities that saw dead dogs and phantom people signed up as party faithful.  Thus, this is baffling strategy for a party that has yet to make any significant strides in the polls, hasn't elected a leader, and has been beset by a rash of resignations from caucus.

Unless this is a veiled attempt to give Belinda Stronach and her endless campaign resources a boost in the party's leadership race, there is no political benefit to allowing this type of activity.  Most political organizers are well aware that the notion of partisan "grassroots democracy" is largely a phenomenon from the past.  This decision by the Conservatives only serves to destroy the facade behind the age old expression "power to the people." 

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

It is quite humourous to read a National Post editorial that criticizes the  "leftward tilt" of the Prime Minister's first Speech from the Throne.  It is also quite entertaining to watch Mr. Martin deliver an NDP-style agenda while at the same time defending the $137,000 worth of contracts that his Canada Steamship Lines received from the Canadian government over the past 10 years...or was that $161 million?

Ideology, or a distinct belief in what ideals should guide the country, seems to be just a tool of which Mr. Martin dispenses according to the latest political polls.

Tax cuts or a "New Deal" for Canada's municipalities?  Fiscal responsibility and a spending freeze, or more money for social programs?  To paraphrase a quote from a famous and controversial Caucasian hip hop artist, "Won't the real Paul Martin please stand up, please stand up, please stand up?"

Comments? jonathan@tdhstrategies.com