Show Up, To Vote
There they go again, squawking about the unfairness of it all. Although it is a bit of a puzzle. The fact that the major Canadian political parties all vie for the Jewish vote. Knowing that in doing so in a very public manner they will alienate a lot of other votes.
The number of Jews in Canada is only one-third that of the Muslim population, for example, and while the Muslim population is steadily growing in numbers both through natural birth and immigration, the Jewish population is slowly declining in numbers (by the same criteria in reverse).
The popularity of gaining the Jewish vote through involvement in affairs that impact tangentially on Canadian Jews seems, therefore, peculiar under those circumstances.
Jews have been a part of Canada for longer than Muslims in any significant numbers, and have managed to attain some influence, as a result, and perhaps that partially answers the question. An inter-parliamentary committee of which there are many within Parliament, called the Canada-Israel Friendship Group has raised partisan ire.
These associations are considered generally to be non-partisan in nature, with memberships from across the political spectrum as both general and executive committee members. Parliamentarians arrived on Parliament Hill recently to elect a new executive committee for this particular group.
Instructively, given the current Conservative-led government's active support of Israel, between 50 and 60 Conservatives came out, while only three Liberals managed to find their way, and no NDP MPs whatever could find the time or the inclination to vie for a spot. Little surprise then, that a secret ballot resulted in six Conservatives being elected to the executive committee.
"If you take a quick look at the elected people, you might be forgiven for thinking that only Conservatives care about Canada-Israel relations", observed Mark Garneau, Liberal House leader, sourly. Neither he nor Caroline Bennett, both of whom had placed their names on the ballot, won seats.
"I was quite surprised by this juggernaut approach to taking over 100% of the executive positions on what is supposed to be a parliamentary friendship group", the famously outspoken Ms. Bennett complained. On the other hand, and more to the point, wouldn't anyone with a teaspoon of intelligence be able to predict just that outcome given the attendance?
"It was a free vote. Everybody had an opportunity to participate. (but) they have to show up to vote."
No kidding, fellas.
The number of Jews in Canada is only one-third that of the Muslim population, for example, and while the Muslim population is steadily growing in numbers both through natural birth and immigration, the Jewish population is slowly declining in numbers (by the same criteria in reverse).
The popularity of gaining the Jewish vote through involvement in affairs that impact tangentially on Canadian Jews seems, therefore, peculiar under those circumstances.
Jews have been a part of Canada for longer than Muslims in any significant numbers, and have managed to attain some influence, as a result, and perhaps that partially answers the question. An inter-parliamentary committee of which there are many within Parliament, called the Canada-Israel Friendship Group has raised partisan ire.
These associations are considered generally to be non-partisan in nature, with memberships from across the political spectrum as both general and executive committee members. Parliamentarians arrived on Parliament Hill recently to elect a new executive committee for this particular group.
Instructively, given the current Conservative-led government's active support of Israel, between 50 and 60 Conservatives came out, while only three Liberals managed to find their way, and no NDP MPs whatever could find the time or the inclination to vie for a spot. Little surprise then, that a secret ballot resulted in six Conservatives being elected to the executive committee.
"If you take a quick look at the elected people, you might be forgiven for thinking that only Conservatives care about Canada-Israel relations", observed Mark Garneau, Liberal House leader, sourly. Neither he nor Caroline Bennett, both of whom had placed their names on the ballot, won seats.
"I was quite surprised by this juggernaut approach to taking over 100% of the executive positions on what is supposed to be a parliamentary friendship group", the famously outspoken Ms. Bennett complained. On the other hand, and more to the point, wouldn't anyone with a teaspoon of intelligence be able to predict just that outcome given the attendance?
"It was a free vote. Everybody had an opportunity to participate. (but) they have to show up to vote."
No kidding, fellas.
Labels: Government of Canada, Human Relations, Israel, Politics of Convenience
posted by Pieface | 7:44 PM
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