Two people whose names appear on the nomination papers for the NDP's newly elected MP Ruth Ellen Brosseau say they never provided their signatures to support her candidacy.
Bad enough that this candidate can't hold an interview in French, never bothered campaigning, and took a trip to Vegas during the election, but if she committed fraud in order to run, Layton needs to oust her and a bi-election should be held.
A lot of people are making light of the rash of candidates - and not all are NDP - who were simply approved so that the party in question had someone representing them in that riding, ridings that were not considered winnable.
That's sloppy, an insult to voters, and not in keeping with a system that is supposed to be based on representation by constituency.
If a party is serious about wanting to represent Canadians energetically, ethically, and to the best of their ability, then they should screen candidates carefully and demand that those candidates perform at a certain level regardless of whether or not they think a riding is winnable.
Seriously. What the hell is going on? Are people so afraid of looking like they're NDP haters that they won't point this out? I'm all for new faces in the House and younger people are refreshing but for Darwin's sake and all that's scientifically sound, it's outrageous that several very inexperienced people ended up in Parliament simply because they were filling empty slots and certain ridings shifted colours unexpectedly.
We're paying these people. They should be screened. They should show some kind of understanding of the system, some political experience even as volunteers, and definitely some history of commitment to the people they hope to represent.
The money is the least of it. Since these people are going to vote on this that will affect our lives, it is very important that they have the maturity, education, dedication, and ethics to do so.
We all expect that newcomers will have to learn as they go, but this is ridiculous. They should never be allowed to run without some level of experience in politics.
I wrote a few days ago that lack of experience wasn't that serious, and that more senior politicians could coach them, but I never expected this number of very inexperienced people, nor this lack of engagement during campaigns.
Accepting these hamburger-helper candidates just to fill slots undermines public engagement as well. People should be questioning candidates during campaigns. They should understand local representation. It's no wonder so many Canadians still think we vote for the Prime Minister.
I saw many comments about other candidates and how poorly they were screened - the racist guy in Quebec, (Liberal), the guy with Tamil ties (CPC), and I agree. They should not have been allowed to run. All parties must be held to the same standards.
Some of these newcomers are probably fine, will become very good, but it shouldn't be a game of chance. They should all meet certain standards.
Damn!
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2 comments:
The way things played out, monkeys could fill both sides of the aisle without making a difference. It used to be that you took your individual MP into serious account when voting.
In the past two elections, I have not received ANY information or door knock. That is in two freaking different ridings. These elections have become about voting for the leader/brand. How else do you explain the wide scale demise of MPs that actually did a good job of representing their constituents?
same in the last two ridings I've been in. Liberal candidate Remington in my riding went door to door, hit businesses in Carleton Place, but I never saw any other candidate. Scott Reid knows they vote blue out here no matter what, so I guess he figures, why bother.
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