Should the Bloc be allowed to sit in Parliament?

[JakeYYZ]

I've said many times that it should not be allowed to sit in the federal parliament. No party that confines its electors to only one province has any right to sit in judgment on national interests - because it is not accountable to the nation. Quebec has its very own default party, with at least 30-40 plus seats, at least 20% of the House. Do any of the other provinces have such local power? No. Should they?
Discuss.

[iflyforpie]

Well we used to have the Reform Party here in the west (though not exclusively confined to it) until they got absorbed into the big blue machine.

That's democracy my friend. We could shut them down but it wouldn't be very fair would it?

I think a better system would be one that doesn't give so much representation to Ont/Que but we would be stuck with nothing but minority governments which might be better or worse depending on your perspective.

[...]

heeheheheh...

For years Ontario and Quebec were pulling & paying for the western provinces dead weight...So do you agree now that Alberta's latest cash flow of natural resources should now be held back from sharing the new wealth with the rest of the country INCLUDING Quebec?

When you point a finger...there are 3 pointing right back you...



Come on Jake...put down the sword...

[BibleMonkey]

I've said many times that it should not be allowed to sit in the federal parliament. No party that confines its electors to only one province has any right to sit in judgment on national interests - because it is not accountable to the nation. Quebec has its very own default party, with at least 30-40 plus seats, at least 20% of the House. Do any of the other provinces have such local power? No. Should they?
Discuss.

Each Province should develop a nuclear weapons cache and a missile launch capability.

Not only would this create jobs, those Premiers conferences where negotiations are extremely boring would be injected with some much needed excitement.


===

Also, nuclear weapons are very environmentally friendly-no carbon, eh. Well, except for the missile exhaust.......

I've said many times that it should not be allowed to sit in the federal parliament.

Hear hear-I agree. Let them stand-those Bastards.

[Dash-Ate]

\

Are those hot women or all women? We need more of them in ON.

[Epsilon]

Are those hot women or all women? We need more of them in ON.

The previous graph was all women.

This graph is the accurate distribution of hot women in Canada.

[...]

Are those hot women or all women? We need more of them in ON.

The previous graph was all women.

This graph is the accurate distribution of hot women in Canada.

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[The Other Kind]

There's hot women in Manitoba?? They must all be too afraid to come out in public.

[Sheila]

(Hey I'm from Manitoba)

This is hardly "holding back" from Quebec.

The Honourable Christian Paradis, Conservative Party candidate in Mégantic-L’Érable, is pleased to announce that a re-elected Conservative Government would commit to a $7M investment over the next three years to develop Quebec’s sea farming industry. Minister Paradis was accompanied on this occasion by Mr. Darryl Gray, the Conservative candidate in Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine

.

Saint John, NB – Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced today that a re-elected Conservative Government will help address Canada’s skilled trades shortage by providing a new completion bonus to apprentices who finish their training.

$116 million to New Brunswick through the Gas Tax Fund to support municipal infrastructure.

$10.8 million in support for five pilot projects around the province to offer Francophone children enriched daycare services in French.

$3.2 million to give New Brunswick’s emerging translation industry the support it needs to grow and create opportunities throughout the province.

$1.8 million for Fraser Papers East Operations to collaborate with the University of New Brunswick in developing new processes to produce higher value paper products and improve efficiency.

More than $860,000 to help local farmers succeed in the biofuels and bioproducts markets.

If Harper loses seats in Quebec there is something wrong with those people. I think he's been alright with them and they have been listening to that Bloc head too long.

[THEICEMAN]

The previous graph was all women.

This graph is the accurate distribution of hot women in Canada.

This is one of the things I love about Montreal!

[Dust Devil]

Ken Miller (Head Coach of the Riders) said that they actually keep the boys on a short leash when the travel to Montreal for games because of the women there.

ahhh what a town

[Widow]

I don't understand how a party that only represents the interests of one province can be allowable under the federal system. I thought the Bloq was created as a temporary thing while the seperatists awaited their referendum (and the assumption that they'd win). How did that become a permanent thing?

No other party represents only the interests of one province.

What would have happened to all the Bloq ridings if those voters had to chose between parties that represent the interests of voters in every province, like the voters in every other province had to?

[niss]

We vote for our MP because they represent the interest of the riding. I can see how Bloc can get in. What I dont understand is how the Christian Heritage party is allowed. What about separation of church and state. How is this constitutional?

[Epsilon]

No other party represents only the interests of one province.

Not so sure about that...
http://www.westernblockparty.com/
http://nlfirst.ca/party/

I'm no fan of the Bloc, but I beleive that in a fuctionning democracy, anyone should be allowed to run for a seat in the Parliament, even those who represent the interests of one province, one religion (i.e: Christian Heritage party) or one ideology (i.e:Maxist-Leninist). Let the voters decide who they want to see in Ottawa.

[Guido]

I don't understand how a party that only represents the interests of one province can be allowable under the federal system. I thought the Bloq was created as a temporary thing while the seperatists awaited their referendum (and the assumption that they'd win). How did that become a permanent thing?

No other party represents only the interests of one province.

What would have happened to all the Bloq ridings if those voters had to chose between parties that represent the interests of voters in every province, like the voters in every other province had to?

/woops didn't read to the end of the thread

[BigB]

How is this constitutional?

Perhaps a little effort more effort on your part would answer that question. Feel free to browse the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, specifically the paras 2 & 3, and how each para, and sub para relate to each other. The Charter is entrenched within The Constitution Act, hence making it "Constitutional".

Instead of, once again, bashing a religion in which you obviously do not like, you have the freedom to start your own party. Perhaps a "Jewish Heritage Party" .....

But then again, you didn't vote in this election, so your credibility may come into question in the future.

[niss]

I am sorry, but where in the @#$! did I bash a religion? Read my post, then re read my post, then re read it again.

We vote for our MP because they represent the interest of the riding. I can see how Bloc can get in. What I dont understand is how the Christian Heritage party is allowed. What about separation of church and state. How is this constitutional?

Any religious party conflicts with the seperation of church and state.

And as for my decision not to vote, what does that have to do with my credibility? Would you base someones credibility on whom they did vote for?

[BigB]

I am sorry, but where in the @#$! did I bash a religion? Read my post, then re read my post, then re read it again.

I re-read the post, and yes you are right. You did not bash a religion. I apologize. However as noted in past performance, I found it quite conspicuous that you've singled out a specific religion.

Any religious party conflicts with the seperation of church and state.

Once again I ask you to take the time and read The Charter.

And as for my decision not to vote, what does that have to do with my credibility?

Everything IMO.

Would you base someones credibility on whom they did vote for?

No, as long as they exercised their right to vote.

[niss]

Well the only reason I singled out the Christian Party is because they are the only religious party running.

http://www.elections.ca/content.asp?sec ... only=false
Registered Political Parties

* Animal Alliance Environment Voters Party of Canada
* Bloc Québécois
* Canadian Action Party
* Christian Heritage Party of Canada
* Communist Party of Canada
* Conservative Party of Canada
* First Peoples National Party of Canada
* Green Party of Canada
* Liberal Party of Canada
* Libertarian Party of Canada

* Marijuana Party
* Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada
* neorhino.ca
* New Democratic Party
* Newfoundland and Labrador First Party
* People's Political Power Party of Canada
* Progressive Canadian Party
* Western Block Party
* Work Less Party

Which one of these is a religious party?

If you guessed Christian Heritage Party you would be right!

http://www.chp.ca/en/policy/principles.html

Biblical Principles that Guide the Christian Heritage Party of Canada
Party principles are based on these Biblical ethics and are unalterable:

We Believe:

* There is one Creator God, eternally existent in three Persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We believe in the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

* The Holy Bible to be the inspired, inerrant written Word of God and the final authority above all man's laws and government.

* Civil government to be under the authority of God.

* The purpose of civil government is to ensure freedom and justice for a nation's citizens by upholding law and order in accordance with Biblical principles.

* Decision-making processes by civil government must not in any way contravene these Biblical ethics.

Now should such party actually get a government, how does their policies not encroach on others rights to freedom and beliefs?

*Edit to add that the right not to vote also falls under democracy.

[BigB]

To get back on topic. Eventhough I do not agree with the Bloc ideology/agenda, I feel they have every right to do so as afforded to them under the Constitution. They are merely taking full advantage of each and every avenue. The only way to change the situation is to either:

1. Constitutional reform (ie. change the rules) or;
2. Sway the Quebec vote.

Personally, I prefer # 2. A wise person once quoted "I don't care what the rules are, as long as everyone play's by the same rules".

[Hedley]

Funny thing is that we used to have laws against sedition
and treason, which is clearly the Bloc's agenda.

Now, either those laws have been repealed, or
far more likely, they simply aren't being enforced.

There is something horribly wrong with a country
which has very selective and politically-driven enforcement
of it's laws. One might refer to such a nation as
completely corrupt.

A little history:

During World War II former Mayor of Montreal Camillien Houde campaigned against conscription in Canada. On August 2, 1940, Houde publicly urged the men of Quebec to ignore the National Registration Act. Three days later, he was placed under arrest by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on charges of sedition. After being found guilty, he was confined in internment camps in Petawawa, Ontario and Gagetown, New Brunswick until 1944. Upon his release on August 18, 1944, he was greeted by a cheering crowd of 50,000 Montrealers and won back his job as Montreal mayor in 1944's civic election.

[BibleMonkey]

.....

....Any religious party conflicts with the seperation of church and state.....

We vote for our MP because they represent the interest of the riding. I can see how Bloc can get in. What I dont understand is how the Christian Heritage party is allowed. What about separation of church and state. How is this constitutional?

You are thinking of the Establishment Clause of the first amendment of the United States Constitution.

There is no such separation requirement stipulated in the Canadian Constitution. It is not unconstitutional -or even really necessary -in Canada for the government to separate church and state. Common mistake.

==

Also, Canada is the only western democracy with a unique constitutional loophole that allows any Federal or Provincial government to pass any law that violates the constitution if it likes.

An elected Canadian government can trump the supreme court -automatically-with the notwithstanding clause. Quebec is the only province that used it-Supreme Court said the sign law was unconstitutional-Quebec Gov said -completely legally-"meh-too bad".

Alberta gov't was going to use it ( notwithstanding clause ) over a gay rights case it lost, but they didn't.

[2R]

Funny thing is that we used to have laws against sedition
and treason, which is clearly the Bloc's agenda.

Now, either those laws have been repealed, or
far more likely, they simply aren't being enforced.

There is something horribly wrong with a country
which has very selective and politically-driven enforcement
of it's laws. One might refer to such a nation as
completely corrupt.

A little history:

During World War II former Mayor of Montreal Camillien Houde campaigned against conscription in Canada. On August 2, 1940, Houde publicly urged the men of Quebec to ignore the National Registration Act. Three days later, he was placed under arrest by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on charges of sedition. After being found guilty, he was confined in internment camps in Petawawa, Ontario and Gagetown, New Brunswick until 1944. Upon his release on August 18, 1944, he was greeted by a cheering crowd of 50,000 Montrealers and won back his job as Montreal mayor in 1944's civic election.

Where did you get this ??? Why would a francophone not want to fight to free France from Nazi Germany ???

[BigB]

Well the only reason I singled out the Christian Party is because they are the only religious party running.

Frankly, I don't believe that it was your only motivation. One need only reference a specific previous thread to gain a percpective of your disdain for said religion.

Now should such party actually get a government, how does their policies not encroach on others rights to freedom and beliefs?

As long as they stay within the bounds of The Charter, they cannot encroach on your freedoms

*Edit to add that the right not to vote also falls under democracy.

We have the right to vote. However, please indicate where in The Charter, does it say we have a right not to vote. Be specific, including para, subpara references. We do have the freedom not to vote (for now). A freedom and a right are two separate things.

During World War II former Mayor of Montreal Camillien Houde campaigned against conscription in Canada. On August 2, 1940, Houde publicly urged the men of Quebec to ignore the National Registration Act. Three days later, he was placed under arrest by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police on charges of sedition. After being found guilty, he was confined in internment camps in Petawawa, Ontario and Gagetown, New Brunswick until 1944. Upon his release on August 18, 1944, he was greeted by a cheering crowd of 50,000 Montrealers and won back his job as Montreal mayor in 1944's civic election.

Hedley,

As I recall the War Measures Act had been enacted by that point, if I'm not mistaken.

[Hedley]

Why would a francophone not want to fight to free France from Nazi Germany ???

You're kidding, right? During WWII, Quebec was notoriously
isolationist, to say the least! Many North Americans were
blatantly pro-Nazi Germany, too:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierre_Ell ... rld_War_II

Trudeau reflected on his opposition to conscription and his doubts about the war in his 1993 Memoirs: "So there was a war? Tough... if you were a French Canadian in Montreal in the early 1940s, you did not automatically believe that this was a just war... we tended to think of this war as a settling of scores among the superpowers."[9]

In a 1942 Outremont by-election, he campaigned for the anti-conscription candidate Jean Drapeau (later mayor of Montreal), and was eventually expelled from the Officers' Training Corps for lack of discipline. The National Archives of Canada, in its biographical sketches of Canadian prime ministers, records how on one occasion during the war Trudeau and his friends drove their motorcycles wearing Prussian military uniforms, complete with pointed steel helmets.[10]