Gag law is undemocratic
The Grand Forks Gazette
February 18, 2009
Opinion

The provincial election might not be the biggest subject weighing on most people's minds right now. May seems like a long way away and some ridings haven't even selected their candidates yet.

However, if you're part of an organization that's concerned about the environment, child care, how taxes are collected and spent, the quality of education or any of the numerous issues that fall under provincial jurisdiction, your rights have already been seriously curtailed.

The B.C. Liberal's gag law went into effect on Feb. 13. This is a law that curtails third-party election spending to $3,000 in any one constituency, and not more than $150,000 across the province. Any group wanting to express an opinion must register with Elections BC as an election advertiser. These laws are clearly unfair. After all, political parties spend far more than that during an election campaign and no one can argue that their messages aren't biased and, at times, misleading.

One could argue that powerful lobby groups have an unfair advantage because they have the money to spend on advertising. However, companies and organizations still have the right to donate to political parties. It's far more worrying that elected officials may feel indebted to these groups after the election. ….

The public should be considered mature enough to look at advertising with an analytical mind and consider all sides of an issue. If a public interest group, usually supported by members or donors, feels that Gordon Campbell or Carole James, will not work in its best interest, they should have the right to say so. A healthy democracy depends on the free exchange of information. It's hard to see how the Liberal government can believe that sweeping the issues under the rug is a better way to serve the voters.