I will have to assume that when charity groups such as Tides Canada give money to NDP organizers like they are doing for next weekend’s Power Summer Yukon training camp (see here), they are completely following the laws enforced through Canada Revenue Agency for political activism:
From July 27 to 29, youth aged 15 to 30 from around the territory will gather at the Sprucewood Camp in Marsh Lake for the Power Summer Yukon training camp.
On Thursday afternoon, Power Summer Yukon organizers Malkolm Boothroyd and Cassy Andrew announced the local training camp
Activists from the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition, the Council of Canadians and other groups will be making presentations throughout the weekend event. (see here)
Boothroyd was one of the NDP organizers of June’s “occupy” of Conservative MP Ryan Leef’s office removed by the RCMP (see here), the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition is a front group for the likes of Tides Canada and the Canadian Auto Workers Union (see here) and of course the Council of Canadians is currently trying to have the elections results of 7 ridings overturned (see here).
Just a weekend where some average Canadian youths are getting ‘involved’ right?
July 23, 2012 at 8:38 AM
I don’t see anything damning here at all. If a person has personal political views, it does not make everything they engage in partisan activity. Portraying it as damning isn’t endearing– it probably sounds to some like ‘if you’re not with The Party on all things, you’re a political enemy’.
I don’t disagree with your underlying unease, and share your perspective in a lot of ways, but the stance in this post I think is one that is more broadly doing a lot of damage to the CPC brand in the eyes of the public. If we stand for individualism and rational policy, we cannot simultaneously stand for hyper-partisanism, and treat everything as being partisan, even if we are partisan ourselves. Being opposed to anything that looks like criticism to the official line doesn’t make us look rational/individual.
July 23, 2012 at 8:55 AM
“Us” huh? Why then does your IP come out of Germany?
July 23, 2012 at 12:19 PM
What might not have been conveyed entirely in the blog post is the fact that the “activism” that this group is promoting is extremely disruptive and occasionally illegal. When the legislature is shut down and RCMP are having to be deployed to deal with “activism”, it crosses a line. We all support free speech, but probably most of us would disagree with the tactics engaged by this group.
July 23, 2012 at 9:58 AM
Sorry but this does not meet the requirements for a charity, and the CRA needs to enforce its own regulations.
A paler shade would be singing a very different tune were this going to a conservative group and would not be claiming it is non partisan. I however would say the same thing that charities are not to be involved in promoting politics of any stripe.
July 23, 2012 at 10:00 AM
The point is that these activities are being funded under the heading of charitable work. This is a bit of inside baseball, but I recall that a NDP Summer Camp on Gabriola Island was one of the charitable beneficiaries of Bingo Gate.
July 23, 2012 at 12:14 PM
Looks like more material for the folks at Revenue Canada. It really is kind of sad that of all of the Federal Government departments, it is Revenue Canada that appears to be earning trust while others are eroding. Revenue Canada is usually the last one you would want calling you on the phone. Now, I for one would feel quite comfortable with all financial aspects of Elections Canada being moved to Revenue Canada. Looks like CCRA has much more competence.
July 24, 2012 at 5:29 AM
I have concerns about “professionals” targeting and organizing young people to participate. It is not simply a matter of expressing alternative views and engaging in political activism, but doing so in such a way as to manipulate people and take advantage of the naivete and emotional vulnerability of young people. The demonstrations re tuition in Quebec are legitimate as this is a young person’s cause and they are the chief organizers, but the climate stuff smacks of an international agenda (some would say hidden). Reminds me of seeing photos of German youth who were recruited for burning books. This is about using young people and not about the free expression of ideas.
July 24, 2012 at 7:31 AM
This can’t be said often enough..
“Give me four years to teach the children and the seed I have sown will never be uprooted.”
— Vladimir Lenin
July 24, 2012 at 2:14 PM
Indoctrination is the ndp best policy.
July 25, 2012 at 3:38 PM
Youth,15 to 30 ? I sort have a problem with the definition of youth.After the age of majority they are fully fledged political activists sucking up my dime.The dippers also ran placeholder candidates to do exactly the same thing..
July 30, 2012 at 12:37 PM
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