To The editor,

Fixed election dates is an issue both federally and provincially. In  2006 Mr. Harper brought in legislation to limit the term of a federal government to four years; thereby fixing the date of the next general election to the fall of 2009. An election begins when the Prime Minister asks the Governor General to dissolve Parliament and to authorize the writs of election. Assuming the government has not lost confidence, the timing of the election call resides completely with the Prime Minister and is a considerable advantage for the leading party. By taking advantage of short-term events, opposition weakness, or sudden good news the Prime Minister can sway an election to his or her advantage. As a result governments may be winning elections they otherwise would not and manipulation of election dates for political gain erodes the citizen’s view that elections are important and should be participated in. So fixed election dates are correctly deemed a good thing. Mr. Harper said it himself in 2006, “ … fixed election dates stop leaders from trying to manipulate the calendar simply for partisan political advantage."

However fixed election dates cannot work. Why? Canada and its provinces use a confidence system of governance. If the government looses the confidence of the House it must resign and an election must be called to restore confidence regardless of any fixed election date scheme. Also the right of a Prime Minister to ask for dissolution of Parliament is constitutionally protected. Any law passed by Parliament fixing election dates cannot interfere with that power. So even with fixed election dates on the books what sanctions can be used to prevent a Prime Minister from calling an election by resigning before the next election date? And this of course is precisely what happened and why we went to the polls a full year before the ‘fixed’ date.

Fixed election dates is a needed reform but is incompatible with our confidence-style of governance. So let us take a hard look at whether Canada and its provinces should move beyond confidence based governance.

Jonathan Dean
Leader, The Atlantica Party
Bedford, NS
902.446.6694

Re: Reader Reaction to 'Way To Go Soldier Boys'

first off, to dear "russ" (whatever his real name might be):  canadians are not accustomed to losing.  we have a far better military track record than america because a) we don't engage in unnecessary hostilities and b) we're the ones everybody comes running to to clean up the mess that's been made.  we didn't ask you lot to invade the middle east; y'all did that all on your little lonesome after bullying a few other neighbourhood kids into joining your gang of crips.

to the three together:  redsox3016, "russ", and JB - you're a fine shining example of everything for which your boys are dying over there, aren't you?  totally without class and too cowardly to publish your real names.

JB:  go to school and get an education.  your diatribe was rife with spelling and grammatical errors that would make your mother blush were she to read it.

bottom line, boys (cause i know none of you are women and certainly not men): my son-in-law is in the military, both my older daughters served as cadets and so will my youngest when she's of age.  i totally support the military but i do not support the jobs your illiterate and cowardly boss is
ordering.  it's patently obvious to the rest of the world that the only reason duh-bya ordered the invasion was to get control of the oil reserves.  what happened to all that fine talk about how cheap gas was going to be once the war was won?  it's higher than ever now and all we get are mealy-mouthed excuses about how it was "artificially suppressed" before and the price is just now "self-correcting" (and that's when venezuela isn't being blamed)!

so tell you what:  you three are so darned patriotic, why aren't your butts over there on the line?

please note that i'm not afraid to sign my real name:

silja hare
toronto, ontario

To The Newsroom;
Re: Way To Go Soldier Boys

This editorial garbage reflects someone who has never been near, let alone engaged in, a combat situation.  If the enemy hides with children and the children are killed, at least they won’t grow up to be the enemy.  That is when the terror goes away, when the last Muslim dies.  Age makes no difference.

Oh wait.  D. L. McCracken is Canadian.  Almost as used to losing as the French.  That explains it.  And if he had half a ball, he’d try to find me so we could “discuss” his shortcomings outside.

"russ" 

To the Editorial Desk:

I just wanted to say: Bravo.  That was an excellent article.

I am so happy and relieved a journalist finally addressed the disturbing issues involved in the self-censorship of the Can. news community (tv, Internet, print media).  I want to know what is happening, and more importantly, the public has a right to that access, and the media have an obligation to provide it.  

People have a choice to avoid reading or watching, but for news media to condescendingly make the decision for me about what I can and can't know about the trial proceedings (when it is NOT under a publication ban as was the voir dire) is truly obscene.  

What those women went through should not be further ignored, as it has been for far too many years.  We, the public, need to keep the legal and judicial systems honest by paying attention to what happens, especially in such an historic case.

I have been aware of the missing women since 1989 from the advocacy of the Downtown Eastside Women's Centre, who were circulating posters amongst women's groups and others to raise the issue and have a police investigation begin.  I have read about the lives of many of the missing women (http://www.missingpeople.net/ ) year ago, and am incredibly relieved that evidence has been found and someone is being tried. There were so many failures involved from so many directions.  I want to know what happened, what was found, and ultimately, I hope everyone learns things from the trial, e.g. how to avoid this every happening again.

Thank you for your intelligent, incisive, and brave article.


Kristin Schoonover, MLIS, BA (Adv.)

University of Saskatchewan

Editor's Note: the website link supplied by Ms. Schoonover is a comprehensive accounting of the Vancouver Downtown Eastside missing and murdered women. The site authors present each profile as a woman, daughter, sibling or friend. They do not dehumanize the women as "prostitutes" and "addicts", a tactic embraced by the main stream media. /ed

To The Editor,

I am a Canadian living in the US. I am a staunch believer in a free press and individual rights.... but I beg to differ with the position that the 'gory' details of the Picton trial should be freely and widely trumpeted. I could write a long disertation but think it is more succinct to say if one sleeps with dogs, you are likely to get up with fleas.
 
There are examples enough of our hatred of one another without the perverse titillation this would provide some. Where are the benefits to society in full disclosure? Slowing to glance at a violent auto wreck is one thing - getting out of the car to taste the victims blood is another.
 
Be thankful you live a society that considers such acts beyond the ken of civilized and decent people and check your blood lust wrapped in the cloak of patriotism and freedom.
 
Your point is well taken but sometimes just because one has the right to drink poison doesnt mean it should be served.
 

Robert Fiveson