The first few weeks of the latest federal election campaign have been relatively uneventful.
The three major party leaders are promising this and that in an effort to sway the voters in their favour, while also taking potshots at each other in an effort to try to discredit their opposition.
The one item that has drawn some heat is Green Party leader Elizabeth May's failed attempts to sway the federal court to allow her to take part in the leadership debates.
The broadcasting block, which will be moderating and broadcasting the two leadership debates in English and French later this month, ruled last week that May was ineligible to take part as her party does not have a sitting member of Parliament and would allow only the leaders of the four major parties to take part. May vowed to fight for her right to debate by challenging the decision in court. Well, that failed big time, and despite a recent poll suggesting that 62 per cent of Canadian voters want May in the debates, we are not part of that 62 per cent.
While the Green Party has a strong following, they do not have a sitting MP, so why should May be allowed to take part? There are several other recognized parties on the ballot this election - none of whom currently have MPs - and they are not crying foul or offering up court challenges.
In our riding of West Vancouver - Sunshine Coast - Sea to Sky Country, Halfmoon Bay's Al Holt joined the race this week, running under the Western Block banner. Holt plans to take part in the riding debates, as he should be allowed, but we have to agree with the decision to not allow May into the federal debates.
Get a seat at the table first, Ms. May, before you are allowed to eat.
Is it a sign of disrespect?
We don't envy Sechelt council these days. After a raucous public hearing last Thursday regarding Target Marine's application for rezoning, council has a tough decision before them. But we're a bit disappointed in two councillors in particular as they work towards that decision.
We know the hearing was long (it pushed close to the four-hour mark), but why was Coun. Alice Janisch allowed to leave before the hearing concluded? We haven't been given an answer, nor for why Coun. Fred Taylor was absent altogether. Taylor was also absent from the council meeting where the decision to give the proposed zoning bylaws first reading was approved, although he did join in by phone.
Maybe we're making more out of this than we should, but to us, leaving early or not showing up shows a lack of respect for the members of the public who were on hand to share their views - views that council must consider as they make a decision that will affect many in this community.
One has to wonder why this council has had so many challenges this term.
