The Green Party in the House of Commons

No, really! We spoke in the ol’ H. of C! David Chernushenko spoke to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs about Bill C-16. The bill, put forward by the Conservatives, would see Canadian election dates fixed, occuring on the third Monday in October, every four years.

I’ve heard it remarked that if bill C-16 were passed, there non-confidence votes wouldn’t result in an election. Instead, the House of Commons would have to blunder on until the next fixed date. Having read the bill, I’m not sure if this is the case. I would love to hear from anyone who knows. The Green Party position certainly doesn’t mention that, instead it suggests that the government should put more effort into moving towards some form of proportional representation.

6 Responses to “The Green Party in the House of Commons”

  1. Posted by Jason Bo Green
    2006.Oct.04 @ 20:22

    Hey Elijah Elephant,

    As I understand it, the dates are not fixed in the US sense – ie. you can’t tell what years elections will be in the future.

    They’re four years after you win a majority victory, and if you win a minority, you fall when you fall, and if it’s another minority, same deal, but if it’s a majority, it’s time to start the clock til the fourth year.

    I could be wrong!

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  • Posted by The Anonymous Green
    2006.Oct.04 @ 22:24

    Doesn’t appear he said much. A missed opportunity, but what the hey.

    Can’t quite figure out how to get on the green blogger’s list, so pardon this…but please post.

    I’m trying to generate some policy debate on my new blog, but in the interim, here’s a suggestion on how to deal with car companies that don’t want to produce fuel efficient cars (PeeWee Herman fans welcome).

    The latest blog is entitled: “The only difference between a man and a boy is the size of their toys”, but after dancing along with PeeWee, please come back to read the more serious posts, and add to the debate.

    http://theanonymousgreen.blogspot.com/

    Cheers

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  • Posted by dylan
    2006.Oct.04 @ 23:02

    I’m not sure whether or not I agree with Fixed election dates. It would prevent governments from calling elections when they are at the top of polls, but then again what government isn’t going to release all the goodies before the fixed election? I wouldn’t see it as making governments more accountable nor would I see it as being more “democratic”.

    I think there is a uniqueness to our parliamentary system where we have Opposition days and votes of confidance which we should uphold as it is a part of our tradition and our heritage as a nation. I think the only reason this is being put forward is because it is old Reform/Alliance policy and because of Chretiens snap election call in 2000 (although it is debatable that Stockwell Day taunted the Liberals into an election when his party was fresh out of the gates).

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  • Posted by e
    2006.Oct.05 @ 17:54

    Hey Bo-inator,

    I agree with your reading. But not being a constitutional “expert,” I’m not sure if its true. It looks like the Canadian Action Party thinks that C-16 would prevent elections triggered by non-confidence votes. It doesn’t look like any larger party is following their train of thought, however.

    e

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  • Posted by e
    2006.Oct.05 @ 17:59

    Hi Dylan.

    I have to say that I’m in favour of the idea of fixed election dates. Here in Ontario we’ve known that the next election is fixed in Fall 2007 for the last three years. As a volunteer for a political party, I have to say that makes my life much easier. Even though there will be a flurry of vote buying (ahem) spending before the election date, I think we’d all agree that such spending would happen anyway. The only difference is that the other parties know when the election will be held, meaning that they can plan their strategies and prep their volunteers as much as the party in power. So it isn’t so much democratic as fairer. :-)

    Although I do tend to agree with the Green Party’s stance on the C-16 as well: fixed election dates are a tiny improvement over our current system. I would much rather see serious action on implementing some form of proportional representation.

    e

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  • Posted by M Burge
    2006.Oct.27 @ 12:19

    ‘The Siberian Timebomb’, the most important wake-up call since ‘Silent Spring’. For more info on this BBC report track back to my blog or, go to http://www.environmentdebate.blogspot.com .

    UPDATE:

    I’ve had an answer back from the Beeb.

    The report will be repeated on BBC News 24 over the weekend at the following times;
    On 28 October 2006 at 05:30, 14:30 and 21:30 and on 29 October at 03:30 and
    14:30 GMT.

    Please see if you can.

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