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LETTERS: Fixing the election

If, indeed, you are still considering voting for Harper’s Conservative Party after this revelation, then there is no hope for you.

If, indeed, you are still considering voting for Harper’s Conservative Party after this revelation, then there is no hope for you.

Harper has just acquired the services of a world-wide “fixer” to help out in his election campaign. A desperate move on his part, it would seem.

“Lynton Crosby is an Australian political strategist based in London who has been described as a “master of the dark political arts,” “the Wizard of Oz,” “the Australian Karl Rove,” and “one of the most powerful and influential figures in the (Australian) nation,” according to a 2012 article in the UK Guardian.  He helped John Howard, the ultra-Conservative Australian prime minister, get elected four times. The only problem for Harper is that getting someone from outside the country to help out in an election is against the law.

In fact, what the Elections Act reads is:   “No person who does not reside in Canada shall, during an election period, in any way induce electors to vote or refrain from voting or vote or refrain from voting for a particular candidate unless the person is (a) a Canadian citizen; or (b) a permanent resident within the meaning of subsection 2(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.”

The funny part about this is that Prime Minister Harper could actually be serving another term – but this time in one of those hoosegows the Cons are so fond of building throughout Canada. Good luck with this one, Mr. Harper.

Frank Martens

Summerland