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GAG LAW PLACED ON HOLD FOR ELECTION

Federal government is launching immediate appeal

CALGARY, Oct 24 (LSN.ca) - The "Gag Law" which set federal spending limits on third-party advertising during election campaigns has been placed on temporary hold by an Alberta judge after a Charter challenge by the National Citizens' Coalition.

The new law was of concern to pro-life groups since it would have limited third-party expenditures on advocacy advertising nationally and in any given constituency during the course of a campaign and would have required bureaucratic reporting of spending and lists of donors who gave over a certain amount. One requirement remains in effect. Citizens or groups who want to spend more than $500 on advertising in the run-up to the Nov. 27 vote must still register with Elections Canada.

Unlike political parties, Canadian third party advocacy groups are not permitted to issue tax receipts. Their election funds are generally vastly less than the massive funds available to the political parties because of the huge tax credits given for political donations. As well, advocacy groups tend to be generally non-partisan, focusing mostly on highlighting their issues to all candidates and the voters and supporting candidates in any party who agree with them.

The federal government is scrambling to immediately appeal the Alberta decision in order to re-instate the restrictions for this election and maintain the political parties' monopoly election activities.

For more see the National Post at:
http://www.nationalpost.com/home/story.html?f=/stories/20001024/438527.html

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