#ERRE #Q Meetings & Transcripts

Ahead to Take The Poll ~ #ERRE #Qback to #ERRE #Q CommitteeCanadians Deserve Better -Proportional Representation - on Canadian Flag backgroundThis is the fourteenth in the Whoa!Canada: Proportional Representation Series

The Special Committee on Electoral Reform has been meeting since June 21st, 2016 and we are fortunate to live in a time when such proceedings can be televised to allow citizens to follow along as they happen.  Better yet, these sessions are also available online, making it possible for us to watch as it happens, or later at our leisure.

The First Batch of ERRE Special Committee on Electoral Reform Committee Meetings is over.  You can watch the video or read the transcripts online.

[update: I’ve just discovered where the expert witness submission briefs are posted. They are grouped together with submissions being made by Canadians who will not be appearing.  I’ve added links to the witness briefs below, but I recommend you check out those made by non-witnesses, too.]

MEETING 1

Tuesday, June 21, 2016Minutes ~ Evidence Transcript
Election of Chair, Vice Chairs and Administrative BusinessMonsef

Listen on ParVu

MEETING 2

Wednesday, June 29, 2016Minutes
Establishing the ground rules for the Committee
Proposed ERRE Committee Meetings: July 6, 7, 25, 26, 27, 28; August 22, 23, 29, 30, 31; September 1st.

MEETING 3

Wednesday July 6th, 2016 ~ Minutes ~ Evidence Transcript
• Hon. Maryam Monsef, P.C., M.P., Minister of Democratic Institutions  • Testimony Transcript
• Isabelle Mondou, Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet and Counsel to the Clerk of the Privy Council  • Testimony Transcript
Watch on ParlVu http://www.parl.gc.ca/Committees/en/Redirects/ParlVuMeetingPage?MeetingId=9012450&meetingDate=2016-07-06&isAudioOnly=false
Watch on CPAC

CPAC: Post Meeting interview with Democratic Institutions Minister Maryam Monsef

MEETING 4

Thursday, July 7, 2016 ~ MinutesEvidence Transcript
• Marc Mayrand, Chief Electoral Officer  • Testimony Transcript
• Stéphane Perrault, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, Regulatory Affairs  • Testimony Transcript
• Michel Roussel, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, Electoral Events  • Testimony Transcript • #ERRE #Q Parliament

Watch on ParlVu 
Watch on CPAC

Post Meeting Interview on CPAC: Mayrand Discusses Voting Reform, Possible Referendum

MEETING 5

Thursday, July 7, 2016 ~ Minutes ~ Evidence Transcript
• Jean-Pierre Kingsley, Chief Electoral Officer, 1990-2007  • Testimony Transcript

Watch on ParlVu 
Watch on CPAC

MEETING 6

Monday, July 25, 2016 ~ Minutes ~ Evidence Transcript
• R. Kenneth Carty
, Professor Emeritus, The University of British Columbia  • Testimony Transcript • 
• Brian Tanguay
, Professor, Political Science, Wilfrid Laurier University  • Testimony Transcript • 
• Nelson Wiseman
, Director, Canadian Studies Program, Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Toronto  • Testimony Transcript

Watch on ParlVu 
Watch on CPAC

MEETING 7

Tuesday, July 26, 2016 ~ 9:30am  ~ Minutes ~ Evidence Transcript
• Michael Marsh, Emeritus Professor, Trinity College Dublin (by videoconference)  • Testimony Transcript
• Michael Gallagher, Professor of Comparative Politics, Trinity College Dublin (by videoconference)  • Testimony Transcript
~ Submission Brief

Watch on ParlVu 
Watch on CPAC

MEETING 8

Tuesday, July 26, 2016 ~ 2:00pm ~ Minutes ~ Evidence Transcript
• Patrice Dutil, Professor, Ryerson University  • Testimony Transcript
Peter Russell, Professor Emeritus, Department of Political Science, University of Toronto ~ Submission Brief  • Testimony Transcript • 

Watch on ParlVu
Watch on CPAC

MEETING 9

Tuesday, July 26, 2016 ~ 7:00pm ~ Minutes ~ Evidence Transcript
• Tom Rogers, Electoral Commissioner, Australian Electoral Commission (by videoconference)  • Testimony Transcript
• Robert Peden, Chief Electoral Officer (by videoconference) New Zealand Electoral Commission ~ Submission Brief  • Testimony Transcript • 

Watch on ParlVu
Watch on CPAC

MEETING 10

Wednesday, July 27, 2016 ~ 9:30am ~ Minutes ~ Evidence Transcript
 Henry Milner, Senior Researcher, Chair in Electoral Studies, Université de Montréal ~ Submission Brief  • Testimony Transcript • 
• Alex Himelfarb, Clerk of the Privy Council, 2002-2006  • Testimony Transcript
• André Blais, Professor, Department of Political Science, Université de Montréal  • Testimony Transcript

Watch on ParlVu 
Watch on CPAC

MEETING 11

Expert Witness Dennis Pilon appeared before the ERRE Committee

Wednesday, July 27, 2016 ~ 2pm ~ Minutes ~ Evidence Transcript
• Leslie Seidle, Research Director, Canada’s Changing Federal Community, Institute for Research on Public Policy  • Testimony Transcript
• Larry LeDuc, Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto  ~ Submission Brief  • Testimony Transcript • 
• Hugo Cyr, Dean, Faculty of Political Science and Law, Université du Québec à Montréal ~ Submission Brief  • Testimony Transcript • 

Watch on ParlVu 
Watch on CPAC

MEETING 12

Thursday, July 28, 2016 ~ Minutes ~ Evidence Transcript
• Dennis Pilon, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, York University ~ Submission Brief  • Testimony Transcript • 
• Jonathan Rose, Associate Professor, Department of Policital Studies, Queen’s University  • Testimony Transcript
• Maryantonett Flumian, President, Institute on Governance  • Testimony Transcript • 

Watch on ParlVu 
Watch on CPAC

MEETING 13

Monday, August 22, 2016 ~ 2pm ~ Minutes ~ Evidence Transcript
 Benoît Pelletier, Full Professor, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa  • Testimony Transcript
• Arend Lijphart, Research Professor Emeritus of Political Science, University of California, San Diego (by videoconference)  • Testimony Transcript

Watch on ParlVu
Watch on CPAC

MEETING 14

Monday, August 22, 2016 ~ 6pmMinutes ~ Evidence Transcript
• Nathalie Des Rosiers, Dean, Faculty of Law, Civil Law, Ottawa University  • Testimony Transcript
• Christian Dufour, Political scientist, Analyst and Writer ~ Submission Brief  • Testimony Transcript • 
• Harold Jansen, Professor of Political Science, University of Lethbridge  • Testimony Transcript

Watch on ParlVu
Watch on CPAC

MEETING 15

Tuesday, August 23, 2016 ~ 9:30am ~ Minutes ~ Evidence Transcript
• Barry Cooper, Professor, University of Calgary  • Testimony Transcript
• Nicole Goodman, Director, Centre for e-Democracy, Assistant Professor, Munk School of Global Affairs  • Testimony Transcript
• Emmett Macfarlane, Assistant Professor, University of Waterloo ~ Submission Brief 

Watch on ParlVu • Testimony Transcript • 
Watch on CPAC

MEETING 16

Tuesday, August 23, 2016 ~ 2:00 p.m.~ Minutes ~ Evidence Transcript
• Matthew P. Harrington, Professor, Faculty of Law, Université de Montréal  • Testimony Transcript
• Thomas S. Axworthy, Public Policy Chair, Massey College, University of Toronto  • Testimony Transcript
• Pippa Norris, Professor of Government Relations & Laureate Fellow, U of Sydney, McGuire Lecturer in Comparative Politics, Harvard, Director of Electoral Integrity Project (by videoconference)  • Testimony Transcript

Watch on ParlVu
Watch on CPAC

MEETING 17

Monday, August 29th, 2016 ~ 2:00 p.m. ~ Minutes ~ Evidence Transcript
• Ed Broadbent, Chair and Founder, Broadbent Institute ~ Submission Brief  • Testimony Transcript • 
• Jean-Pierre Charbonneau, Minister for Democratic Reform, Government of Quebec (2002-2003)  • Testimony Transcript
• Yasmin Dawood, Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair in Democracy, Constitutionalism, and Electoral Law, Faculty of Law, University of Toronto (by videoconference)  • Testimony Transcript

Watch on ParlVu
Watch on CPAC

MEETING 18

Tuesday, August 30th, 2016 ~ 9:30 a.m. ~ Minutes ~ Evidence Transcript
• Jean-Sébastien Dufresne, President, Mouvement Démocratie Nouvelle  • Testimony Transcript • 
• Eric Maskin, Adams University Professor, Department of Economics, Harvard University ~ Submission Brief  • Testimony Transcript • 
• Peter John Loewen, Director, School of Public Policy and Governance and Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Toronto ~ Submission Brief  • Testimony Transcript • 

Watch on ParlVu
Watch on CPAC

MEETING 19

Tuesday, August 30, 2016 ~ 2:00pm ~ Minutes ~ Evidence Transcript
• Louis Massicotte, Professor, Department of Political Science, Laval University ~ Submission Brief  • Testimony Transcript • 
• Melanee Thomas, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Calgary (by videoconference)  • Testimony Transcript
 Katelynn Northam, Campaigner-Electoral Reform, Leadnow.ca  • Testimony Transcript • Submission Brief

Watch on ParlVu
Watch on CPAC

MEETING 20

Wednesday, August 31, 2016 ~ 9:30am ~ Minutes ~ Evidence Transcript
• Joachim Behnke, Professor, Chair, Political Science, Zeppelin University, Germany • Testimony Transcript • (by videoconference)
• Friedrich Pukelsheim, Professor, Institut für Mathematik, Universität Augsburg, Germany • Testimony Transcript • (by videoconference)
Behnke & Pukelsheim Submission Brief 
• Mary Pitcaithly, Convener (by videoconference: Falkirk, UK)  The Electoral Management Board for Scotland  • Testimony Transcript • 
• Andy O’Neill, Head of Electoral Commission, Scotland   • Testimony Transcript • (by videoconference)
~ The Electoral Commission & The Electoral Management Board for Scotland Submission Brief 

Watch on ParlVu
Watch on CPAC

MEETING 21

Wednesday, August 31, 2016 ~ 2:00 pmMinutes ~ Evidence Transcript
• Richard Johnston, Professor, Department of Political Science, The University of British Columbia ~ Submission Brief  • Testimony Transcript • 
• Darrell Bricker, CEO, IPSOS Public Affairs • Testimony Transcript • Submission Brief
 Gordon F. Gibson • Testimony Transcript Submission Brief

Watch on ParlVu
Watch on CPAC

MEETING 22Craig Scott

Wednesday, August 31, 2016 ~ 6:00 pmMinutes ~ Evidence Transcript
• Jane Hilderman, Executive Director, Samara • Testimony Transcript • Submission Brief
• Dominic Vézina, Strategic advisor, Institut du Nouveau Monde • Testimony Transcript •  Submission Brief 
• Taylor Gunn, President, Civix  • Testimony Transcript • Submission Brief

Watch on ParlVu
Watch on CPAC

MEETING 23

Thursday, September 1, 2016 ~9:30 am ~ Minutes ~ Evidence Transcript
• David McLaughlin (deputy minister to the New Brunswick Commission on Legislative Democracy, 2003-2005)  • Testimony Transcript Submission Brief
• Craig Scott, Professor of Law, Osgoode Hall Law School, York University • Testimony TranscriptSubmission Brief
• Graham Fox,  President and Chief Executive Officer, Institute for Research on Public Policy • Testimony Transcript • 

Watch on ParlVu
Watch on CPAC


Additional Coverage:
CPAC: WATCH: NEW ZEALAND GREEN LEADER ON PR


NOTE: The briefs linked in Scribd below are now also published in PDF form on the ERRE site with the exception of Patrice Dutil (July 26) 

It is also possible to read the Expert’s Briefs on scribd.  Please be aware they are offering a one month free offer so you can read anything on the service for a month.  However if you are not planning on paying for a subscription after that point, you should consider downloading the briefs  you might wish to refer back to at a later date.


back to #ERRE #Q Committee

Ahead to Take The Poll ~ #ERRE #Q

Proportional Representation Series So Far:

• Proportional Representation for Canada
• What’s so bad about First Past The Post
• Democracy Primer
• Working for Democracy
• The Popular Vote
• Why Don’t We Have PR Already?
• Stability
• Why No Referendum?
• Electoral System Roundup
• When Canadians Learn about PR with CGP Grey
• Entitlement
• Proportional Representation vs. Alternative Vote
• #ERRÉ #Q Committee
• #ERRÉ #Q Meetings & Transcripts
• Take The Poll ~ #ERRÉ #Q
Proportionality #ERRÉ #Q 
• The Poll’s The Thing 
• DIY Electoral Reform Info Sessions
• What WE Can Do for ERRÉ
• #ERRÉ today and Gone Tomorrow (…er, Friday)
• Redistricting Roulette 
• #ERRÉ submission Deadline TONIGHT!
#ERRÉ Submission by Laurel L. Russwurm
• The Promise: “We will make every vote count” #ERRÉ
FVC: Consultations Provide Strong Mandate for Proportional Representation #ERRÉ
PEI picks Proportional Representation
There is only one way to make every vote count #ERRÉ
Canada is Ready 4 Proportional Representation
Sign the Petition e-616
#ProportionalRepresentation Spin Cycle ~ #ERRÉ
• International Women’s Day 2017 ~ #IWD
• An Open Letter to ERRÉ Committee Liberals

and don’t forget to check out the PR4Canada Resources page!

Unspeakable: Tom Flanagan and #WikiLeaks

Canadian Flag
Once a nation honored for our commitment to peacekeeping, today Canada’s international reputation is in tatters thanks to Tom Flanagan.
EVERY Canadian needs to see this CBC interview video clip. You can watch it on YouTube:

Or watch the OGG conversion I’ve made for Gnu/Linux users and anyone else who doesn’t use Flash:
http://russwurm.org/hostess/Unspeakable.ogv.

Tom Flanagan, described by Wikipedia as a “political scientist”, a man who previously served as Canadian Prime Minister Harper’s Chief of Staff, characterized by the Walrus as The Man Behind Stephen Harper, is currently employed as a Professor by the University of Calgary. Far from being a media novice, Flanagan has run federal political campaigns.

Yet this week Professor Flanagan said the unspeakable live on air in the CBC’s Power & Politics interview.

Canadian Flag droops in shame

“I think Assange should be assassinated, actually, [laughs], I think Obama should put out a contract or maybe use a drone or something.”

—Professor Tom Flanagan, CBC’s Power & Politics interview, November 30th, 2010

CBC Interviewer Evan Solomon tried very hard to give Professor Flanagan the opportunity to backpedal, but instead of retracting or making light of his statement, Flanagan reiterated it:

“I woudn’t be unhappy if Assange disappeared.”

—Professor Tom Flanagan, CBC’s Power & Politics interview, November 30th, 2010

It is one thing for ordinary citizens to discuss the pros and cons of the #Cablegate issue, or even to think this is a reasonable response to #WikiLeaks. It is quite something else for a man with such close connections to the Canadian Government to advocate assassination.

This from a man saying that WikiLeaks is irresponsible. But what Wikileaks does is bring government and corporate malfeasance under public scrutiny. Professor Flanagan advocated assassination as a valid method for government to handle opposition. Not a method I would connect with democratic government.

Wikipedia on Tom Flanagan:

Flanagan is often described as a member of the “Calgary School,” which is a small group of conservatively inclined professors at the University of Calgary, including Barry Cooper, David Bercuson, F.L. (Ted) Morton, and Rainer Knopff.[18] He is also a Senior Fellow of the Fraser Institute and a founder and former president of Civitas, a national conservative discussion society in Canada.

Terrorists assassinate people with opposing viewpoints.

Julian Assange speaking at podium at New Media Days 2009

Who is Julian Assange?

Julian Assange is a man on Time Magazine’s shortlist for “Person of the Year” because of his dedication to the concept of government transparency. He created the WikiLeaks website.

What is Wikileaks?

WikiLeaks is a website that publishes “leaked” documents, making the “secret” information available to anyone who cares to read the information online.

Wikileaks makes information that governments want suppressed available to citizens. WikiLeaks publishes information that is “leaked” by concerned citizens with access to this information. Citizens concerned by paths and actions their governments are taking. Government Policies that are being undertaken in secret.

democracy?

I believe that the reason for making these things known is to allow the public the opportunity to form an opinion. Perhaps I am naïve, but I think that is eminently reasonable in a democratic nation. Transparency and dissent must exist in a democracy. If they don’t, democracy hasn’t got a prayer.

Tom Flanagan is/was an unelected Canadian power broker who may or may not have the ear of the Canadian Government. As an ordinary Canadian I have no way of knowing. What I do know is that he is employed to impart his wisdom to some of Canada’s brightest young minds at the University of Calgary.

history?

His statements are not only overwhelmingly arrogant, they embody “above the law” thinking.

I would think that someone who actually teaches political science at the university level would have at least a nodding acquaintance with the cautionary tale of Thomas Becket, and appreciate the danger of anyone in public life making such statements. That was, after all, one of the classic political gaffes in recorded history.

Clearly, the public outcry following these irresponsible statements was enough to convince Professor Flanagan to recant. And today he

regrets his “glib comment”

CBC: Flanagan regrets WikiLeaks assassination remark

But because of Tom Flanagan’s strong ties with the Canadian government, his words and statements ring with far more authority than that of the average Canadian history professor. His words taint Canada’s international reputation.

At the very least, this calls for strong government censure. Perhaps even criminal charges. Does Canada actually support assassinating whistle blowers?

The Canadian Government must speak up.

As a Canadian I am appalled.

a horizontal border of red graphic maple leaves

You can subscribe to the Wikileaks feed on Identi.ca wikileaks2, or folloe @wikileakson Twitter.

The WikiLeaks website has been suffering problems,possibly friom huge traffic, possibly from a DDoS attacks.
You can also attempt to access Cablegate cables directly, but of course that site is also having problems.

Keep trying.



Credits:
Julian Assange at New Media Days 2009 Photo by New Media Days / Peter Erichsen
Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License (cc-by-sa)
Canadian Flag CC-by lothlaurien.ca

OGG conversion via TinyOgg

NOTE: The original video I linked to has been taken down; so I’ve replaced it with another copy of the same.