Add the 'official' debate to the Elections Act
Posted to Jim Elve's Group Election Blog
There is a lot of talk, in this election and previous ones, on which leaders should be allowed to be in the debate. Much of the discussion has centred on the criteria that the broadcast consortium (sounds eerie doesn't it) uses to decide who to invite.
Perhaps the debate should be recognized as key aspect of the election process and formalized in the Canada Elections Act and include the criteria or the invited leaders.
It isn't a radical suggestion as C-24, the political financing bill, includes criteria for a party to receive funding:
All qualifying registered parties now receive quarterly allowances from public funds. To be eligible, a party must have received in the general election preceding the quarter:
- at least 2 percent of the valid votes cast, or
- at least 5 percent of the valid votes cast in the electoral districts in which the party endorsed a candidate
What would the criteria be for being included in the debate? Perhaps the following:
- A party receiving at least 5 percent of the valid votes cast in the previous general election.
- Or, a party containing representatives in the House of Commons that received at least 5 percent of the valid votes cast in the previous general election. (would allow the Bloc in 1993, and the new Conservative party in 2004)
That's it - nothing more - nothing less. Sorry Greens - you wouldn't make it this time but next time you'd be in, if you hold up your support according to the polls, even if you didn't get a seat.
Seems like a reasonable, transparent solution to an ongoing issue.
There is a lot of talk, in this election and previous ones, on which leaders should be allowed to be in the debate. Much of the discussion has centred on the criteria that the broadcast consortium (sounds eerie doesn't it) uses to decide who to invite.
Perhaps the debate should be recognized as key aspect of the election process and formalized in the Canada Elections Act and include the criteria or the invited leaders.
It isn't a radical suggestion as C-24, the political financing bill, includes criteria for a party to receive funding:
All qualifying registered parties now receive quarterly allowances from public funds. To be eligible, a party must have received in the general election preceding the quarter:
- at least 2 percent of the valid votes cast, or
- at least 5 percent of the valid votes cast in the electoral districts in which the party endorsed a candidate
What would the criteria be for being included in the debate? Perhaps the following:
- A party receiving at least 5 percent of the valid votes cast in the previous general election.
- Or, a party containing representatives in the House of Commons that received at least 5 percent of the valid votes cast in the previous general election. (would allow the Bloc in 1993, and the new Conservative party in 2004)
That's it - nothing more - nothing less. Sorry Greens - you wouldn't make it this time but next time you'd be in, if you hold up your support according to the polls, even if you didn't get a seat.
Seems like a reasonable, transparent solution to an ongoing issue.
