BC Liberals outrageous attack on free speech, democracy could pass BC Legislature today - ACT NOW!

Bill Tieleman’s 24 Hours Column

Tuesday May 27, 2008

Bill 42 must be stopped

By BILL TIELEMAN

While banning advertising by concerned citizens and groups, the government gives itself free rein to fill the airwaves and newspapers with 'feel good' advertising promoting itself at public expense and promote itself further with taxpayer-subsidized political contributions.

- Rob Holmes, B.C. Civil Liberties Association president

There are dozens of vital political issues in British Columbia but none are more important than trying to protect citizens' right to democracy and free speech.

Regrettably, the B.C. Liberal government is about to severely restrict both this week by passing Bill 42, the Election Amendment Act.

As previously outlined here, Bill 42 would drastically limit the right of organizations and individuals to advertise about an issue, a political party or a candidate for a full five months before election day - that means starting Dec. 12 of this year.

To get some idea of how extreme this restriction is, consider an important election issue: Premier Gordon Campbell's decision to remove 500 acres of prime farmland from the agricultural land reserve and allow the Tsawwassen First Nation to pave it for Deltaport expansion.

Now presume a group of individuals deeply opposed to losing valuable farmland decides to make it an issue in the premier's riding of Vancouver-Point Grey and is willing spend its own money to do so.

Next, look at the physical size of this newspaper column.

For the entire five-month period from Dec. 12, 2008 to voting day on May 12, 2009 that group could sponsor in 24 hours newspaper exactly one ad slightly larger than this column.

A single ad, run once and that's it, because the limit on spending per riding by a third-party group is just $3,000 - enough for a modest ad.

That's a totally outrageous restriction on free speech and democracy.

But unless you and others do something about it - today - Bill 42 could be passed into law as soon as this afternoon and no later than Thursday.

Fortunately, the growing opposition to Bill 42 includes the B.C. Federation of Labour, the Vancouver Sun and the Globe and Mail newspapers, the B.C. Civil Liberties Association, unions and business groups.

Even some traditional B.C. Liberal supporters are expressing their concern, including Philip Hochstein, president of the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association, and 24 hours columnist Erin Airton.

You can add your voice by going to a special website to send an e-mail expressing your opposition to Premier Gordon Campbell, Attorney-General Wally Oppal, NDP Opposition Leader Carole James - who is fighting Bill 42 - and your local MLA at: www.justshutupbc.com

If you care about democracy, free speech and your right to exercise both of them, go there immediately and be heard - before it's too late.

NEWS FLASH! - Attorney-General Wally Oppal today tabled amendments to the Act.

The Vancouver Sun has just reported: "The amendments shorten the time period that will limit spending by political parties, candidates and third parties; and will lower the amount political parties can spend in the pre-writ period, according to the news release."

"The time period limiting third-party advertising spending will be cut from 120 to 60 days, prior to the start of the campaign, plus the 28-day campaign period itself, while the time limits regulating spending for political parties and candidates will also be cut in half from 120 to 60 days prior to the writ being dropped."

"Although there will be no changes in the amount third parties and candidates can spend within those time limits, the amendments will reduce the amount political parties can spend in the pre-writ period from $2.2 to $1.1 million. This change is aimed at reducing the gap between what political parties can spend and what third parties are able to spend."