… The root of the problem is that Canadian political parties have a rather loose definition of what constitutes a party member. Most parties allow people as young as 14 to vote in nomination and leadership contests. Neither do you need to be a full-fledged citizen — permanent residency will suffice. Candidates can go to immigrant communities to recruit new members who may not speak English or understand party policies or even agree with the party’s positions on issues. The candidates can then have donors pay for these memberships in cash.
Why should a Chinese international student who is under 18 or a non-citizen permanent resident get to help decide who will represent a Canadian political party in that riding? Raising party voting ages to at least 18 might help, as would new rules lengthening the amount of time someone must be a paid-up party member in order to cast a vote in a leadership or nomination race.
Who thought this set up was a good idea? Oh yea it was the the same evil bastards that brought us “diversity and multiculturalism.”
