Why would anyone be surprised when Premier Stelmach moves to suppress free speech in Alberta elections. After all, he came out in support of the Alberta Human Rights Commission which is in the forefront of the campaign against against all forms of free speech.

To me “Alberta for Change” ads were not to be believed or even listened to because the ad did not state the source of the ad. In other words the unions’ sneaky methods killed their purpose. I believe you have the better plan re Ed Stelmach’s plan on this issue. He has listened before when bombarded with the thoughts of others, so go to it, tell him how to rethink his announcements without appearing to flip flop. I don’t see Harper’s boys renouncing the gag law, or have I missed something?

I think if every other corporate or private entity can lobby why not unions?
Be consistent. You claim to love free speech but then you always find an excuse to limit it to those whose views you disagree with. Do the unions want your free speech taken away? If you believe that no other private funds can be used for political purposes then that would be consistent. But that is not what you are about is it? Its about slamming everything left of centre because you are afraid of a level playing field. You must be afraid of the ideas of the left because secretly you are convinced they hold more moral and ethical value than the Right. You are correct in your fears of course, just look at the Right in America they are totally corrupt and morally bankrupt. They are about to be taken to the shed by their electorate. This is in spite of the Right owning not only the means of production but the media and the political and judicial institutions. They had everything except the will of the people. They can’t be fooled for long. In the end the Right has to move Left to serve the majority or return to Fascism. Simple enough choices eh?

I think you are right on on this issue and I certainly hope that Stelmack will see this also.

When I worked at Ontario Hydro, the union at one time used my dues to support the NDP. I was furious about this and complained bitterly about it. eventually they listened to me and other Union members and stopped the practice…Dave Yalden

this is only the start. The Alberta gov’t also needs to open up the ability for workers to either belong to the union or choose not to.
Labour unions are likely the largest impediment to productivity improvements in the province.

Steve

Your comments are more than funny. As an organization all of our money is received voluntarily- unions can make zero claim to that.

You did not read my blog very well- we believe that unions should have the right to say what they want in an election campaign like anyone else.

What we do not believe is any union funds should be used for non workplace related issues. The spending of money by Albertans for Change would not be allowed in the United Kingdonm. United States, France or any other Western country in Europe. Would be much better if you came from a factual point of view in your arguments.

Stop trying to compare our labour laws to US- how about pointing to the UK and Europe which ban any forced union dues from being spent on non workplace related issues. Amazing how you want to twist this into an anti US rant- who was talking about that anyway- I certainly was not in my blog comment.

Your comments about the left holding more ethical value than the right does not even deserve a response.

Glad you come and post your blog comments- we like diverging views for sure and do not edit them out, but in this case you are trying to push water uphill.

Peter Coleman
President and CEO
National Citizens Coalition

I am opposed to any form of restriction on the freedom of speech as long as that freedom is not used to promote hatred, unfairly slander or bully, or deliberately spread lies. In light of that principle whose business is it other then the one who is paying to spend money on whatever message or advertising one wants. So also in the case of a union spending its money foolishly on political messages. The issue is not a union spending union dues the way it sees fit, even on political messages. The issue to me is the forced membership into a union in order to work somewhere mainly by intimidation. Therefor I would rather see the NCC fight for complete freedom for workers to join or not to join a union, job action and other work place related issues with strong deterrents to any kind of intimidation complete with secret ballot votes and a democraticcally elected leadership. Once that would be achieved let them do what they want to do with their own money just like anyone else. As far as Ed Stelmach is concerned if he is that insecure about what he stands for that these kind of messages scare him that much then I think it would be time to seriously reevaluate his positions and policies.

That egotistical fool in BC, Gordon Campbell has done the same thing, even though he had prviously denounced such legislation.

I and my family are happy to see you working for more freedom through less government, particularly by seeking to keep the Alberta gag law from being passed and by preventing unions from using money confiscated from their members for the unions’ ends. Perhaps you could also convince the Alberta government to stop unions from confiscating members’ money at all (make union dues voluntary).
In the reduction of unions’ power, it would be useful to encourage the Alberta government to reduce the length and complexity of existing legislation.