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VANCOUVER, British Columbia / Agence France Presse / May 6, 2009
Canada's newest political party promises to make it easier for the elderly living in long-term care facilities to have sex, for example, by instituting training for "specialized sexual care nurses."
A fringe political party in westernmost Canada is looking to shake up current political discourse by campaigning on this unusual theme: "Sex is good. Let's make it better!"
The so-called Sex Party has no illusions about winning a seat in the British Columbia legislature in general elections on May 12.
Rather, its candidates are taking advantage of the election campaign to defend their unconventional ideas about sexuality, which they lament are not broached by mainstream politicians.
John Ince of British Columbia's Sex Party, who is the party's main force voice in claiming Canada Post is discriminating against them. Photo: CTV.ca
"We're not running to get elected. Obviously it's impossible, especially in a first-past-the-post system that discriminates against small parties," said John Ince, a Vancouver sex shop owner and leader of the Sex Party.
The party's platform touts the benefits of a healthy sex life for personal growth and the betterment of society.
It proposes revamping the provincial education program to gradually encourage students' sexual activity, whereby extensive sexual experimentation would precede first intercourse.
Teens would learn the basics of healthy and satisfying sexual liaisons, such as trust, emotional intimacy, relaxation and verbal communication. They would be offered courses in erotic massage, and taught not to discriminate against gays or lesbians.
Furthermore, the Sex Party would require that all public parks and beaches larger than one hectare (2.5 acres) be designated areas for nudists in a bid "to normalize all parts of the human body and de-stigmatize human sexual organs."
It promises to make it easier for the elderly living in long-term care facilities to have sex, for example, by instituting training for "specialized sexual care nurses."
"Other politicians don't want to discuss these kinds of issues. It's very scary to them," commented Scarlett Lake. The former exotic dancer who now owns an escort service is one of three Sex Party candidates in this election.
She proposes changing Victoria Day, a statutory holiday in Canada that celebrates the birthday of Queen Victoria, who reigned during an era of prudery in Britain, to "Eros Day" for the Greek mythological god of lust and intercourse.
Valentine's Day, in turn, would become a statutory holiday.
The party, which received a mere 305 votes in the last provincial election in 2005, is not the only one to skirt the fringes of Canadian politics.
Thirty-two minor parties are officially slated to run in the British Columbia provincial election, including the Work Less Party, which is calling for 32-hour work weeks, and the Marijuana Party.
This proliferation is due to the province's flexible election law.
"It reflects the populist culture in British Columbia, where ordinary people can make their mark on politics. The political process is not just for the elites," said Norman Ruff, a politics professor at Victoria University.
"We all have other jobs and lives. We're amateur politicians and we don't have a whole lot of time (to spend) to get elected," commented Ince, who is challenging Liberal Premier Gordon Campbell for his seat.
Copyright © 2009 AFP
John Ince of British Columbia's Sex Party, who is the party's main force voice in claiming Canada Post is discriminating against them. Photo: CTV.ca
"We're not running to get elected. Obviously it's impossible, especially in a first-past-the-post system that discriminates against small parties," said John Ince, a Vancouver sex shop owner and leader of the Sex Party.
The party's platform touts the benefits of a healthy sex life for personal growth and the betterment of society.
It proposes revamping the provincial education program to gradually encourage students' sexual activity, whereby extensive sexual experimentation would precede first intercourse.
Teens would learn the basics of healthy and satisfying sexual liaisons, such as trust, emotional intimacy, relaxation and verbal communication. They would be offered courses in erotic massage, and taught not to discriminate against gays or lesbians.
Furthermore, the Sex Party would require that all public parks and beaches larger than one hectare (2.5 acres) be designated areas for nudists in a bid "to normalize all parts of the human body and de-stigmatize human sexual organs."
It promises to make it easier for the elderly living in long-term care facilities to have sex, for example, by instituting training for "specialized sexual care nurses."
"Other politicians don't want to discuss these kinds of issues. It's very scary to them," commented Scarlett Lake. The former exotic dancer who now owns an escort service is one of three Sex Party candidates in this election.
She proposes changing Victoria Day, a statutory holiday in Canada that celebrates the birthday of Queen Victoria, who reigned during an era of prudery in Britain, to "Eros Day" for the Greek mythological god of lust and intercourse.
Valentine's Day, in turn, would become a statutory holiday.
The party, which received a mere 305 votes in the last provincial election in 2005, is not the only one to skirt the fringes of Canadian politics.
Thirty-two minor parties are officially slated to run in the British Columbia provincial election, including the Work Less Party, which is calling for 32-hour work weeks, and the Marijuana Party.
This proliferation is due to the province's flexible election law.
"It reflects the populist culture in British Columbia, where ordinary people can make their mark on politics. The political process is not just for the elites," said Norman Ruff, a politics professor at Victoria University.
"We all have other jobs and lives. We're amateur politicians and we don't have a whole lot of time (to spend) to get elected," commented Ince, who is challenging Liberal Premier Gordon Campbell for his seat.
Copyright © 2009 AFP
