Is anyone upset...

[slowpoke]

Nope. All parties opposed her inclusion except the Bloc.

Bullshit!!!!!

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/01/18/dion-may-debate.html

Let Green leader into televised debates, Dion says

Last Updated: Thursday, January 18, 2007 | 3:18 PM ET
CBC News

Federal Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion says his Green Party counterpart, Elizabeth May, should be allowed to take part in the televised debate during the next election campaign because of her "long experience in the issues of sustainability and the environment."

Dion was responding to reporters' questions at an Ottawa news conference called to unveil the new Liberal shadow cabinet.

"I don't agree with her about everything," Dion added. "I'm pleased to be in a party that has a long experience about combining different goals. We're not a one-issue party."

May's party has been shut out of the leaders' debate, usually held in the last few weeks of a federal leadership campaign, because the Greens have never held a federal seat in Canada.

However, during the last election campaign, Green Party candidates won the votes of 664,068 Canadians. That works out to 4.5 per cent of all valid votes cast.

May has said those numbers prove that Canadians want to hear the party's messages about environmental and fiscal responsibility.

She and her predecessors have long lobbied a broadcast consortium comprising Canada's largest English and French television networks, including the CBC, for the right to join the leaders of the Conservatives, Liberals, NDP and Bloc Québécois in the televised debates.

'Public will be enraged' if Green party shut out
"It's very critical that we be participants in the leaders' debate. I think it will be a significant factor," May said in an interview earlier this month with the Forest Newswatch newsletter. "If the Green Party is once again shut out of the debates, I think the Canadian public will be enraged. We can elect seats in the next election, and I expect we will."

The Green Party's complaints about being shut out of a 2003 Ontario leaders debate prompted an investigation by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. The federal broadcast regulator later ruled against the party's bid to take part.

May's supporters have set up a website (www.demanddemocraticdebates.ca) and an online petition that push for her appearance in future nationally televised leaders' debates. The site notes that the broadcast consortium invited the Bloc Québécois to participate in the debates prior to the 1993 election, even though the Bloc did not have an elected member of Parliament and did not hold official party status.

It also points out that Reform party leader Preston Manning was granted a spot in the 1993 leaders' debate, based on the Reform party winning in one riding in 1989.

 

[zedzed77]

The way I see it is this: if the Green Party is allowed in despite the fact that they did not elect 1 MP in a general election or a byelection (their lone MP is a switcher), then the communist party, the marxist-leninist party, the marijuana party, the rhinocerous party etc etc etc should get a spot in the debate as well.

Of course we don't do that do we? Elect a Green MP first. Then we'll talk about debates. And no switchers allowed.

 

[LancsLad]

Bullshit!!!!!

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/01/18/dion-may-debate.html

Let Green leader into televised debates, Dion says

Last Updated: Thursday, January 18, 2007 | 3:18 PM ET
CBC News

Federal Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion says his Green Party counterpart, Elizabeth May, should be allowed to take part in the televised debate during the next election campaign because of her "long experience in the issues of sustainability and the environment."

Dion was responding to reporters' questions at an Ottawa news conference called to unveil the new Liberal shadow cabinet.

"I don't agree with her about everything," Dion added. "I'm pleased to be in a party that has a long experience about combining different goals. We're not a one-issue party."

May's party has been shut out of the leaders' debate, usually held in the last few weeks of a federal leadership campaign, because the Greens have never held a federal seat in Canada.

However, during the last election campaign, Green Party candidates won the votes of 664,068 Canadians. That works out to 4.5 per cent of all valid votes cast.

May has said those numbers prove that Canadians want to hear the party's messages about environmental and fiscal responsibility.

She and her predecessors have long lobbied a broadcast consortium comprising Canada's largest English and French television networks, including the CBC, for the right to join the leaders of the Conservatives, Liberals, NDP and Bloc Québécois in the televised debates.

'Public will be enraged' if Green party shut out
"It's very critical that we be participants in the leaders' debate. I think it will be a significant factor," May said in an interview earlier this month with the Forest Newswatch newsletter. "If the Green Party is once again shut out of the debates, I think the Canadian public will be enraged. We can elect seats in the next election, and I expect we will."

The Green Party's complaints about being shut out of a 2003 Ontario leaders debate prompted an investigation by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. The federal broadcast regulator later ruled against the party's bid to take part.

May's supporters have set up a website (www.demanddemocraticdebates.ca) and an online petition that push for her appearance in future nationally televised leaders' debates. The site notes that the broadcast consortium invited the Bloc Québécois to participate in the debates prior to the 1993 election, even though the Bloc did not have an elected member of Parliament and did not hold official party status.

It also points out that Reform party leader Preston Manning was granted a spot in the 1993 leaders' debate, based on the Reform party winning in one riding in 1989.

That was over 1 1/2 years ago. celine will have a different idea by now.





.

 

[basketcase]

... the marijuana party,...should get a spot in the debate as well....

I know the only way I'm watching the debate is if I'm high.

 

[drstrangelove]

The way I see it is this: if the Green Party is allowed in despite the fact that they did not elect 1 MP in a general election or a byelection (their lone MP is a switcher), then the communist party, the marxist-leninist party, the marijuana party, the rhinocerous party etc etc etc should get a spot in the debate as well.

Of course we don't do that do we? Elect a Green MP first. Then we'll talk about debates. And no switchers allowed.

Your logic doesn't make sense. The Green Party does have a member of parliament, since "switchers" are in fact allowed. The other fringe parties you mention don't have any members, nor anything close to 5% of the popular vote, so they shouldn't be included in the debates.

 

[someone]

I don’t even see why the bloc are part of the English language debates as they are not running anyone outside of Quebec. I think that the debates worked a lot better with only three leaders.

it should just be dion and harper. no one else will be prime minister

True, but the depending on how bad the liberals do, Layton could end up with a shot at being the Leader of the opposition (unlikely but not impossible). Being leader of the loyal opposition is a constitutionally important position. However, May has no chance of even getting that far.

 

[zedzed77]

Your logic doesn't make sense. The Green Party does have a member of parliament, since "switchers" are in fact allowed. The other fringe parties you mention don't have any members, nor anything close to 5% of the popular vote, so they shouldn't be included in the debates.

It shouldn't be based on the popular vote. Such is the case in european countries where ultra-right white supremacist groups routinely command around 5-10% of the popular vote. And they are never counted in national debates. And yes, the Bloc was given a spot in 1993 despite it being its first election. Some may say that the people running for MPs back then were already incumbents holding seats but ran for the "new" party back then. But the fact remains that allowing the Bloc to participate was a fundamental error in politics and one of the reasons why the Bloc is now that hard-to-scratch itch that just won't go away.

Elect MPs first. Then you can have your debate. Until then, scram.

 

[slowpoke]

That was over 1 1/2 years ago. celine will have a different idea by now.





.

Wrong again......

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canadavotes/story/2008/09/08/greens-debates.html

..."Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion said Monday that his party had supported May's participation, but that he himself would not participate if Conservative Leader Stephen Harper were to boycott the debates.

"I will say that I would like her to be there," Dion said."...

 

[Bud Plug]

Bullshit!!!!!

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/01/18/dion-may-debate.html

Let Green leader into televised debates, Dion says

Last Updated: Thursday, January 18, 2007 | 3:18 PM ET
CBC News

Federal Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion says his Green Party counterpart, Elizabeth May, should be allowed to take part in the televised debate during the next election campaign because of her "long experience in the issues of sustainability and the environment."

Dion was responding to reporters' questions at an Ottawa news conference called to unveil the new Liberal shadow cabinet.

"I don't agree with her about everything," Dion added. "I'm pleased to be in a party that has a long experience about combining different goals. We're not a one-issue party."

May's party has been shut out of the leaders' debate, usually held in the last few weeks of a federal leadership campaign, because the Greens have never held a federal seat in Canada.

However, during the last election campaign, Green Party candidates won the votes of 664,068 Canadians. That works out to 4.5 per cent of all valid votes cast.

May has said those numbers prove that Canadians want to hear the party's messages about environmental and fiscal responsibility.

She and her predecessors have long lobbied a broadcast consortium comprising Canada's largest English and French television networks, including the CBC, for the right to join the leaders of the Conservatives, Liberals, NDP and Bloc Québécois in the televised debates.

'Public will be enraged' if Green party shut out
"It's very critical that we be participants in the leaders' debate. I think it will be a significant factor," May said in an interview earlier this month with the Forest Newswatch newsletter. "If the Green Party is once again shut out of the debates, I think the Canadian public will be enraged. We can elect seats in the next election, and I expect we will."

The Green Party's complaints about being shut out of a 2003 Ontario leaders debate prompted an investigation by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. The federal broadcast regulator later ruled against the party's bid to take part.

May's supporters have set up a website (www.demanddemocraticdebates.ca) and an online petition that push for her appearance in future nationally televised leaders' debates. The site notes that the broadcast consortium invited the Bloc Québécois to participate in the debates prior to the 1993 election, even though the Bloc did not have an elected member of Parliament and did not hold official party status.

It also points out that Reform party leader Preston Manning was granted a spot in the 1993 leaders' debate, based on the Reform party winning in one riding in 1989.

I see your bullshit, and raise you a bullshit!

Dion's statement is pure rationalization. The Liberals said "no" to her inclusion, and have come up with the spin afterward. Do you really believe they would turn down air time without the the Conservatives? Of course they wouldn't! Bien Sur!

 

[LancsLad]

Wrong again......

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canadavotes/story/2008/09/08/greens-debates.html

..."Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion said Monday that his party had supported May's participation, but that he himself would not participate if Conservative Leader Stephen Harper were to boycott the debates.

"I will say that I would like her to be there," Dion said."...

He's a charmer, just looking for a way to meet the ladies.


They gifted the "seat" to the nutbars, he thinks its part of da green plan dat e as.



.

 

[slowpoke]

I see your bullshit, and raise you a bullshit!

Dion's statement is pure rationalization. The Liberals said "no" to her inclusion, and have come up with the spin afterward. Do you really believe they would turn down air time without the the Conservatives? Of course they wouldn't! Bien Sur!

That "rationalization" stuff doesn't cut it. Show me where the Libs said "no way to May".

 

[emvee]

Consider this...

In the 1993 debate, Preston Manning was allowed in although the Reform Party had only contested a handful of ridings in the 1988 election but did win a byelection.

Also in the 1993 debate, Lucien Bouchard was allowed in although the Bloc didn't exist in the 1988 election. I believe all existing Bloc MPs at the time were elected as PCs.

As for where to draw the line ... Well, the Green Party is an official party as far as federal funding is concerned. None of the other parties left out can claim that. The Green Party also received 25 times the number of votes of the next highest party - far more than all the other parties behind it combined.

One thing for sure - this situation exposes the fact there are no rules and the media consortium is accountable to nobody.

 

[landscaper]

The reform party did in fact have an M.P. in Deborah Gray.

The Bloc was included because this is politics and anybody who tried to exclude the Bloc would have committed political suicide.

The debates are not organzied by a political party, but by a coalition of t.v. networks. Ms MAys idea that elections canada should have the final word is one more example of the nanny state in action.

There is a rumour going around that a liberal or conservative member now sitting will anounce that they are now running for the Christian Coalition and because of that they should be in on the debate as well.

The media coalition is responsible to the media coalition they want the ratings and the profile that will come from this thing. The only real control a party has is to not participate, that has its own issues