Let’s Make it Happen – Democratic Reform
Danielle believes in democratic decision-making, both internally for party matters and externally in government.
As Alberta Director for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, Danielle managed a grassroots small business advocacy group, whose agenda was set through a one-member, one-vote process. Democratic decision-making enables political parties to stay connected with their members. Democracy also enables Albertans to instruct their government about public needs and priorities. Unfortunately, democracy in Alberta for many years has suffered abuse and neglect from the PC government.
As Wildrose Alliance leader Danielle would be a strong champion for:
• Free speech
Democracy depends on the free exercise of five basic rights, the first and most obvious being free speech. (The others are freedom of conscience, freedom of assembly, freedom of association, and secure ownership and use of property.)
The provincial Human Rights Commission, a government agency, now punishes and intimidates Albertans whose political and moral beliefs it disapproves. This is totally unacceptable in a free and democratic society. The Commission’s power of political censorship should be repealed.
A new bill that is likely to pass in the legislature, Bill 205 – Third Party Advertising, should also be repealed. It would ban or heavily restrict public-issue advertising by nonpartisan organizations during elections. This attacks one of the most basic freedoms in a democracy.
• Fixed Election Dates
Albertans should always know the date of the next provincial election. Each election should be four years – 48 months – from the last one. Timing should not be determined by the political interest of the premier. This is already the law in six provinces and territories (B.C. Newfoundland, Ontario, NWT, Saskatchewan and Manitoba).
• Direct democracy
There is a place in Alberta for direct democracy, something that’s common elsewhere.
Initiative allows interested citizens to write and propose a law directly to all voters.
Referendum provides a direct-vote citizens’ veto over certain kinds of government action (such as tax increases, deficits, MLA pay hikes, or opting out of a judge’s Charter ruling).
Recall enables citizens in a constituency to replace their MLA.
Whether Albertans want such powers should be considered in a specially convened Citizens’ Assembly, and decided by a provincial referendum.
• Senate elections
A provincially-elected Senate holds the key to a more successful federal system. Alberta should vigorously help Prime Minister Stephen Harper make this a national priority, we should invite our Alberta senators to report regularly to the Legislature how they are representing our provincial interests in Parliament, and we should establish a system of predictable dates for Senate elections to allow parties and independent candidates the time to prepare for them.
Further Background:
Fixed election dates in Canada
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fixed_election_dates_in_Canada
Direct Democracy: How We Can Control Our Politicians
http://www3.sympatico.ca/n.rieck/docs/direct_democracy.html
Ezra Levant: I don’t answer to the state
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6n3SdV2cwn4&feature=channel
Canadians for an Elected Senate
http://www.electoursenate.ca/
Visit the Wildrose Alliance Party
