New political party on the Canadian scene

I had heard of the Pirate Party in Sweden and the amazing level of support it recieved this past summer during the elections for the European parliament.  What I did not know (at least until reading This Magazine — which, by the way, is a fantastic publication and I encourage everyone to check it out) is that the Pirate Party had also set up shop in Canada.

Although it isn’t much more than a single issue party, the Pirate Party of Canada does address some issues that most of the mainstream parties barely discuss, if at all.

Started in 2009, the Pirate Party of Canada strives to reform Canadian copyright laws, reform the patent system, and protect every Canadian’s right to privacy. It is our current goal to complete the registration process to become an official federal party.

We are in favour of :

• Copyright Reform
• Reform of the patents system
• Better respect of privacy
• Net Neutrality
• Open Government

How can one not get behind the idea of better respect for privacy?  Net neutrality?  Sign me up!

I don’t have any illusions about the Pirate Party sweeping into office during the next federal election, but it would be nice to think that perhaps some of the issues that are of high importance to younger, not-currently-engaged-in-the-political-process potential voters might have more time and consideration devoted to them.  Then maybe, just maybe, younger voters would pay some attention to the political world.

(P.S.  Seriously, I can’t recomment This Magazine enough.  I wish I had discovered it years ago…)