The satirical state of democracy in Canada was again revealed this week in a "Notice to Media" issued by Elections Canada in advance of the Windsor St. Clair by-election.

Subtitled "Media Do's and Don'ts For This Weekend and Election Day" the notice exemplifies how completely statist the act of conducting an election in Canada has become. And if the federal government has their way it's going to get worse.

Citing Section 48 of the Canada Elections Act, the notice warns of the advertising blackout "beginning at midnight Saturday April 10, 1999". One assumes our legislators have reasoned that voters upon hearing a radio ad too close to voting day would cast voters into a dizzying state of confusion rendering them incapable of exercising their franchise.

Then there is the requirement all advertising must "identify the agent authorizing the advertisement". As everyone knows, the 'authorizing agent' is a big factor in determining which way to vote.

As for the very serious matter of filming voters, the notice reads: "Members of the media wishing to obtain general footage - should first obtain permission from the returning officer." Better do it quickly. No doubt "permission" requires a ten-page form in triplicate to be sent off to the 15th floor of some building in Hull, Quebec for "processing".

Finally, the notice reminds the media "No one may block the access of electors to polling stations" as though TV crews regularly leave their cameras and equipment in doorways blocking the entrance of polling stations.

It would be funny save for the fact it's true! Our tax dollars pay bureaucrats big bucks to go around enforcing all these grave threats to democracy.

It's not just a federal phenomena. British Columbia's new Election Act regulations actually spell out rules governing the consumption of coffee, the weight of paper recall petitions can be signed on and what constitutes an "approved" writing implement.

The message is simple. Unless you can afford to hire a lawyer and accountant to sort through the untold maze of forms and regulations don't bother participating at election time - proof lies in the growing number of smaller parties and candidates who have been fined and steamrolled right out of existence.

Thankfully, media outlets and citizen groups have successfully fought many of the more offensive election regulations in court. These include the federal "gag law" which had effectively prohibited anyone other than politicians from advertising during election campaigns. Likewise, a ban on releasing poll data 72 hours from voting day was struck down as "gravely insulting" to voters.

Not that any of those decisions would ever stop our dictator governments from policing and regulating free speech and democracy right out of existence. This spring the federal government will reintroduce a gag law (for the fourth time), new restrictions on the release of polling data and even enhance taxpayer reimbursements of their election expenses.

The Elections Canada notice may hint at what is next when it laments there is "no provision concerning the content of news or public affairs programming - during the election period."

How much longer can we legitimately call our country a democracy Election law in Canada is nothing short of disgraceful.