• Français
FacebookTwitterYoutubeInstagram
Find Your Local Union
Subscribe to E-news
 
Login
Contact

UFCW Canada - Union Logo

Canada's Private Sector Union

  • About Our Union
  • Media & News
  • Resources
  • Issues
  • Action Centre
  • Join the Union

UFCW action against Unfair Elections Act gains momentum with open letter

fShare
Tweet

You don't need to know!Toronto – April 16, 2014 – Opposition to the Harper government’s Bill C-23, (the deceitfully named "Fair Elections Act") is growing across Canada – thanks in part to the ongoing efforts of UFCW Canada activism, lobbying, and social media campaigns. UFCW Canada blogs, Facebook infographics, and commentaries have engaged literally tens of thousands across the land, helping to build solidarity against the ultra-Conservatives' blatant plans to dismantle democracy.

Now, Canada's leading union has also added its voice as joint-signatory of an open letter to Members of Parliament to scrap what is clearly the Unfair Elections Act, and its agenda to stack the deck in favour of the Harper Conservatives in the next federal election. Other signatories include leading Canadian authors, artists, musicians, scientists, as well as community, labour, and social justice allies.

The Unfair Elections Act aims to eliminate the practice of “vouching” – a system which ensures voters who lack official identification are not excluded from the democratic process. Approximately 120,000 Canadians voted by vouching in the last election. Outlawing this option would make it more difficult for aboriginal peoples, students and low-income voters in particular to cast their ballots.

On top of this, the bill seeks to raise spending limits and increase election campaign donation limits, while simultaneously banning Elections Canada from launching citizen outreach and educational campaigns. Last year, the Conservatives had as many large donors – those who give $200 or more – as the Liberals and New Democrats combined.

Clearly, Bill C-23 is an attempt to create a system of vote buying and voter suppression. UFCW Canada and the NDP Official Opposition are now joined by a diverse, widespread and growing list of Canadians who are committed to protecting democracy.

“Bill C-23 is the most blatant attempt yet by Stephen Harper to silence the voices of concerned citizens and ordinary Canadians,” says Paul Meinema, UFCW Canada National President, “As Canada’s leading union, we stand united with people from every walk of life to protect the democracy we all cherish.”

  • Media & News
    • News
      • All News
      • Agriculture
      • By the Numbers
      • Campaigns
      • Directions Newsletter
      • Infographics
      • Politics
      • Social Justice
      • Women and Gender Equity
      • Young Workers
      • Health & Safety
    • Media
      • Videos
      • Photo Gallery
      • Posters
    • Subscribe to E-news
  • Join the Union
  • About Our Union
    • About Our Union
      • Find Your Local Union
      • National President
      • National Council
      • Constitution
      • Union History
      • Mission Statement
      • Annual Reports
      • Join UFCW Canada
  • Media & News
    • Media & News
      • News
      • Media
      • Subscribe to E-news
  • Resources
    • Resources
      • Union Training & Scholarships
      • Health & Safety
      • The National Defence Fund
      • Member Discounts
      • Great Canadian Food Products
      • UFCW Canada Equity Grant Program
  • Issues
    • Issues
      • Leukemia Fundraising
      • Political Action
      • Women and Gender Equity
      • Social Justice
      • The Union for Agriculture Workers
      • UFCW Pride – Union Pride!
      • Young Workers
      • Food Justice
      • Global Solidarity
      • Uber Drivers United
      • Conscious Cannabis
  • Action Centre
    • Action Centre
      • Stop the Hate! Support an anti-racist COVID-19 recovery
      • Add Your Voice to the Call for Universal Childcare
      • Take Action to Protect Farm Workers and Canada’s Food Supply
      • Show your support for frontline workers
      • Help Food Processing Workers!
      • Economic Security for All
      • What you need to know about COVID-19
      • Stand against conversion therapy in Canada
      • Support the expansion of EI benefits
      • Tell Coca-Cola to respect workers’ rights
      • Help support justice for First Nations children in Canada
      • Support Uber Drivers
      • Tell leading grocery giants across Canada to protect workers and ditch toxic receipts
      • Support good union jobs at The Beer Store
      • #NoMore campaign to end gender-based violence
      • Help close the Gender Wage Gap today
      • Stop Cargill’s union-busting in Turkey
  • Join the Union
    • Join the Union
      • Why UFCW Canada
      • Union Advantage
      • Union Facts
      • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Everything About Unions
      • Workplaces We Represent
      • How to Join a Union
      • Join Now

Login

FacebookTwitterYoutubeInstagram

Copyright © 2021 UFCW Canada. All Rights Reserved
United Food and Commercial Workers Union
Canada's private sector union