With duct tape across their mouths to symbolize being gagged, a small and silent group protested Bill 42 in Sechelt Feb. 13.
The mood was sombre as protesters braved the crisp morning air with their signs, and several passersby honked their horns in support."This bill attempts to silence all of us who speak out on behalf of patients, our communities, the environment, the homeless and our students," said Sunshine Coast Teachers' Association (SCTA) president and Sunshine Coast District Labour Council (SCDLC) member Denis Fafard in a press release.
"This is not about siding with any political party. Teachers, as members of the BCTF and the SCTA, do not belong to, nor do they contribute to, any political party. Teachers, along with a cross-section of members of our community, have undertaken to help educate the public about the needs of every citizen in their community and to elect provincial politicians who commit to making education and the well-being of citizens a priority."
Bill 42 passed in the legislature last spring and limits registered third parties from spending more than $3,000 on advertising in a single riding or $150,000 in total during the 88 days leading up to voting day. It does not change the amount of money that can be bankrolled into party campaigns by businesses and corporations.
A challenge by B.C labour unions failed in Supreme Court in December as Justice Frank Cole dismissed their injunction application. He said their complaints did not outweigh the law's intended benefits.
Local Liberal candidate Dawn Miller said she thinks the bill addresses transparency issues during elections and is curious to see if limiting advertising will bring about a more realistic outcome.
"The specifics are still being worked out. There is still room for a fair bit of communication," said Miller. "In general, I'm willing to see it as a good thing."
She said Bill 42 does not limit unions from communicating with their membership via email or from writing letters to newspaper editors to convey their views. They simply cannot advertise.
Alice Lutes, president of Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 801, said the bill is unfairly marking unions as being for a single party."Our membership is very eclectic. They are very diversified as far as political goals," said Lutes, adding because of the wide range of political leanings, the Local does not put dollars towards any one party. "It's [Bill 42] been pushed through so fast nobody on the street knows what it means. They're scared to do anything because the fines are so high."
Bill 42 states election advertising sponsors must file disclosure statements if they plan to spend $500 or more on advertising. Failure to do so will result in penalty and anyone who spends more than the allotted amount on advertising must pay the chief electoral officer 10 times the amount by which the value of the election advertising exceeded the limit.
Powell River-Sunshine Coast New Democrat MLA Nicholas Simons said the gag law is an infringement on free speech, and while the Liberals might not like what the opposition has to say, it is a big deal to stifle their supporters all together.
"There are some legitimate voices on either side of the fence that will not be heard, and it's not good for democracy," said Simons. "Legitimate, public debate should be allowed."
Simons, Lutes and Miller all agreed on one point: that the new amendments are broad and somewhat unclear, leaving people questioning what they can and cannot do without being in contravention of the bill.
"There's so much uncertainty, and the election is now," added Simons.
