CHUM Limited and Alliance Atlantis pull ads

According to Canadian Press,"The networks said promoting the movie would be inappropriate for their channels."

Holly Crap, it looks like a few heartless corporation's have a soul. Unfortunately, I'm left being a skeptic. Did somebody within the business decide that this wasn't moral, or did they think it would it negatively impact the business. I hope it was the former, and not the latter.

As far as the movie, I've been thinking about what the proper and moral response as a Canadian blogger would be. I don't believe in government censorship of any works, expect in cases where somebody or something is being harmed or exploited in the creation of the work. I don't really want to talk about the movie. I don't want to inavertly promote the movie, while bashing it's creation. I haven't see it, I don't plan on it. I don't believe I need to see this movie. However, without seeing it, I can't really comment on it. Perhaps it will contain a important message. Perhaps it will help family deal with the ongoing grief. Perhaps it will give the Canadian public a sense of closure. However, I doubt it. It looks a Hollywood exploitation of a tragic story, and I don't I need to see it. I remember the time in my head. I lived in Burlington. I remember the fear the community had first hand. I remeber the News reports. The books and articles. I don't need to see a movie of the other side of story.

That being said, I'm glad to see the Canadian media rejecting the ads. I'm glad the government didn't have to tell the media what was inappropriate. I'm glad the media has decided by themselves. Now, I hope the Canadian public does that same, and votes with their money and does not support the movie. At least, in some small way, it will say something about the morality of Canada.

The verdict on the second debate: What the hell is the "Not withstanding clause, and why the hell do I care?

As stated on tonights election debate, and according to CBC News, It looks like Paul Martin is going for the "Long Bomb" and has challaged Steven Harper to follow his lead and promise the ban of the federal use of the "Nothwithstanding Clause". If If I understand it corectly, what this really means, if Steven Harper and the conservaties get elected and IF they agree to the challage, this promise would effectly ban an action by the conservaties (or any other party) from use the notwithstanding clause overide descions made the Supreme Court on the interpretion of theCanadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. So on federal level, they could use the notwithstanding clause to overule the supreme court on descions like gay marriage.

CBC briefly states:

"The notwithstanding clause allows the federal government or a provincial legislature to enact legislation to override several sections of the Charter that deal with fundamental freedoms, legal rights and equality rights."

for a more indept look:

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "Section Thirty-three of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is part of the Constitution of Canada. It is commonly known as the notwithstanding clause (or 'la clause dérogatoire' in French), or as the override power, and it allows Parliament or provincial legislatures to override certain portions of the Charter."


finally, right from the parl.gc.ca site:

The Notwithstanding Clause of the Charter (BP194e): "THE NOTWITHSTANDING CLAUSE
OF THE CHARTER"

How'd They Vote? :: Canadian MPs in Focus

I've been hiding for awhile. I will get to a full on update some-time soon, sometime before another full on update is needed. Anyhow, not to waste time. Canada is knee deep in election talk.. Instead of getting into dirt, I first though I'd pass on a resource. I'm quite happy to see this type of information published on the net. Like most Canadians, I have *no idea* what my MP does after I elect him/her. I simply read the local/national paper, and follow the headlines assuming my MP has done me right. Well, that's about to change. Before I vote, I'll be checking into the incumbent to see how they've voted on key issues: social responsibility, defense spending, transporting, education and heath care.

How'd They Vote? :: Canadian MPs in Focus