Leave it to Canada's old style parties

It is both interesting and ironic that Steven Harper's reaction to the undemocratic decision to exclude the Greens from the televised debate is to suggest an even more undemocratic solution to exclude the NDP and the Bloc as well. Michel Ignatieff's reaction .. anytime, anywhere.

Only these two parties could propose such an abuse and make it sound like a good idea to Canadians. Shame on them.

Please sign the petition to get Elizabeth into the debates. http://demanddemocraticdebates.ca/sign

Jim

Ineresting speculation - what would a majoirty look like?

Murray Dobbin has an interesting blog post about what a Harper majority might look like.

http://murraydobbin.ca/2011/03/28/contemplating-the-unthinkable-harper-majority/

Makes for some interesting reading.

Jim

We need to engage youth in the political process

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

March 28, 2011

Green Party candidate Jim Johnston calls for common ground on employment and education for youth

Ilderton – Green Party candidate Jim Johnston is challenging his candidates in the other parties to create a better atmosphere for the 2011 election by letting Canadians know that their candidates are capable of being positive, as well as negative. For the rest of this first week, each day the Green Party will propose an issue or idea where we think all parties can find common ground.

“For the fourth time in seven years, Canada finds itself in a federal election. I know that Canadians feel this is an unnecessary use of taxpayers’ money and they are sick of the mud-slinging and the personal attacks. We are saying: let’s try to engage the voters. Let’s try to show them that, once in a while, we can agree on important policy issues,” said Green Leader Elizabeth May.

The first big proposal from the Greens is that Canada needs a nation-wide employment and education initiative for youth.

“Surely all the parties can agree that providing employment and education for youth need to be a priority. Recessions hit youth the hardest. They are continually caught in a cycle of not yet having the skills or experience to be competitive but not being able to gain these skills and experience without a job,” said Green Leader Elizabeth May. “It is a critical phase of their lives and it is a worthwhile investment to create a generation that is fully participating and contributing both economically and socially.”

The budgets that we create now create debt that will take generations to repay. The youth of this country should have a more important role in deciding how their future unfolds.

“I am asking the other candidates in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex to join in and find common ground. Show voters they are able to cooperate and work together with other parties, and agree Canada needs an investment in a nation-wide employment and education initiative for youth,” said Jim Johnston.

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Contact Information:

Jim Johnston, 519 666 1203, jjohnston@greenparty.ca , twitter LucanJim

What if Shephen Harper's views were used against him?

Jeffrey Simpson has written a great column in the Globe and Mail entitled "What if Stephen Harper's Previous Views Were Used Against Him?"

It provides an interesting perspective on the futility of attack ads. People grow and change.

Or perhaps they don't. See Accidental Deliberations for another take on this issue.

Jim

Senate reform linked to constitutional agreement

In her article today, Chantal Hébert talks about the futility of trying to create Senate reform without addressing the constitutional process that is necessary to make changes, and the consequent need for most, if not all, provinces to agree on the precise change.

She also points out that a constitutional change is not required in order to implement proportional representation. So how about it, MP's? Could we have referendum at the next election on whether or not we want PR for the House of Commons?

Jim