Canada • Media
CBC on the Chopping Block?

News broke this week that the federal government is considering selling off the CBC. The Conservatives have talked about selling off some assets in order to balance the budget, but the reality that the CBC was on the list comes as a shock.

Well, maybe we shouldn’t have been shocked. The Conservatives refused to help the CBC with additional funding this year, and the CBC announced 800 full-time jobs would be eliminated. Not to mention conservative attacks on the national broadcaster because of its supposed left-wing bias.
So, not surprised, but pissed. The national CBC and its regional outlets provide some of the best TV and radio news coverage in the country, not to mention covering small corners that would not be commercially viable. Considering the state of the media today, keeping a strong CBC going could mean maintaining a healthy fourth estate in Canada.

Alberta • Bill 44
“The Silent Majority”

With the passing of the controversial parental rights provision Bill 44 comes some phrases from a conservative era we thought was long past: Culture Minister Lindsay Blackett recently used Richard Nixon’s phrase “the silent majority” when referring to the support he sees for Bill 44. The term refers to the supposedly vast number of conservatives who support the government but don’t attend rallies. Well, considering the PC party is able to ram though any bill they want, we don’t see how anyone could call conservatives in Alberta “silent.”

Blackett also referred to “family values” in his defence of the bill, insinuating that anyone who opposes the bill isn’t a good parent. Which is, of course, ridiculous.

Besides the rhetoric around Bill 44, we are also upset that this one part of the bill should so sully Alberta at the same time as the province finally passes legal protections for homosexuals.

Edmonton • Campaign Financing
Support For New Fundraising Law

Seems Mayor Stephen Mandel is pretty upset that the province has forced new election campaign donation laws on Alberta cities.

Under the new law, citizens, corporations, and unions are forbidden from donating more than $5,000 to one candidate, and all donations over $100 must be disclosed.

It’s true that the province didn’t ask the cities about these changes, but that doesn’t change the fact that politicians shouldn’t be able to demand the terms of their employment. What politician would restrict the ability to collect donations, or force themselves to make their affairs more public? It’s clearly not within their interests.

Actually, the province may have hit on a clever new way of making governments of all levels more accountable. Perhaps concerned citizens should begin lobbying the federal government to legislate similar laws on the provinces.