Canada's Democratic Deficit

[Canuck E Stan]

Just read this column and I was wondering why after all these years we still have a democratic deficit, and even though promises are made to do something about it, nothing ever gets done. How do we get the government(regardless of party in power) to move quicker on this issue? Or has the Canadian public given up trying to tackle this issue? Or maybe it isn't even a problem?

I'm interested in your views.

Column I think is worth reading:

Democratic Deficit

[mirror]

CES

Yes, that is an interesting article and we have a golden opportunity to force changes on the Liberals while they are only a minority government, but only if the opposition parties unite together to do it. And there is not a lot of time left to do it. If we don't do it now, the Liberals could be in power with majority governments for the next 25-50 years.

DD for the Liberals is a joke. What where PM Martin's comments on the Liberal Red Books? I remember him saying something to the effect that they were written for the election campaigns only. Once the election campaign is over, you throw the red book away.

Conservatives have got to stop going off on tangents. Stick to something solid like proportional representation that will really address the DD. The opposition parties have the votes - they should use them!

[shoop]

Conservatives have got to stop going off on tangents. Stick to something solid like proportional representation that will really address the DD. The opposition parties have the votes - they should use them!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Mirror,

Why did Layton abandon proportional representation during the non-confidence vote?

It is more of a priority for the NDs than the Conservatives.

That was the best chance Layton has had as leader to force his agenda.

Seriously, it isn't a priority for the Conservatives? Please build a valid, case for why it should be without the kneejerk insult about being in freefall.

[mirror]

We are looking at a strong possiblity of another Liberal majority government in the next election with the Liberals receiving between only 35-40% of the popular vote. Do you think that is a FAIR system, and are you going to be comfortable with those kind of results. I'm not.

The way to seriously address the democratic deficit is by implementing a proportional representation system. The PMO appoints over 3,000 positions while receiving what was it last time, only 37% of the popular vote. Martin thumbed his nose at the other party leaders when he appointed the GG, not consulting them in the slightest. No wonder people who study politics, and who are not Liberals, are freaked out by this distortion and quite frankly, abuse of power.

When the Layton New Democrats negotiated a deal with the Martin Liberals to keep them in power, they had to ensure that what they requested was going to be supported by Canadians. I think the NDP's assessment was that not enough Canadians were versed in the advantages of PR. I think what the NDP are hoping for is a referendum question on the ballot concerning PR during the next federal election. In other words the NDP feel the citizens of Canada need to be consulted prior to its implementation. I would be very surprised if it is not an importanty part of the NDP agenda in the Fall.

Martin has babbled on about the democratic deficit, the way he has babbled on about many other issues. He has absolutely no intention of making any changes concerning a FAIR voting system, if he can help it. Why should the Liberals as the distorted UNFAIR voting system is working fine for them?

[Rambler Man]

I wonder what the feasibility of getting a referendum in the fall on that question is. The house would have to vote to allow the referendum?

NDP is in favour. According to their website, the conservatives would consider it. Assuming those two would work together to push it, they would still need the Bloc to win a vote in the house if the liberals oppose it.

What is the bloc opinion on PR?

[mirror]

You would have to compare the the percentage of the seats won by the Bloc to the percentage of the popular vote they received in the last election. Based on the last election. I don't think it would be of benefit directly to them however if it can stop the Liberals from forming these massive majority governments with only 35-40% of the friggin' vote, the Bloc might be interested, although I doubt it. I know that several of the provinces are moving on the question of PR, and in the election this year in BC, BC voters voted 57% in favour of changing the voting system, a much higher percentage than the party which received the most votes.

The chances of having a refendum on PR this Fall - zero in my opinion. If we are very lucky we might get a referendum question on the ballot in the next national election in Feb-March, 2006.

The Cons & the NDP should definitely have as part of their election platform next time around, the UNFAIRNESS of the voting system.

[Rambler Man]

The Cons and NDP in agreement on an issue? Thats insanity.

The NDP and Con working together on that issue could work very well for a couple of reasons: a) It would impart on Canadians that the issue is one of such importance that it goes beyond where a party lies in the political spectrum.

Maybe the Cons and NDP are closer to the center, then the "King of the center" Liberals make them out to be. Because the Liberals are the only center party and the rest are fringe elements and wacknuts doncha know?

[Argus]

Just read this column and I was wondering why after all these years we still have a democratic deficit, and even though promises are made to do something about it, nothing ever gets done. How do we get the government(regardless of party in power) to move quicker on this issue? Or has the Canadian public given up  trying to tackle this issue? Or maybe it isn't even a problem?

I'm interested in your views.

Gee, you don't think it has anything to do with us electing a series of political leaders whose only purpose in life is acquiring power, do you? Neither Martin, nor Chretien before him, nor Mulroney, though to a lessor extent, could stand disagreement or opposition to their ideas and rule. Martin in particular is noted as a man who gets easily angered whenever challenged. In parliament, he shows contempt for the opposition and their questions and complaints, and as I understand it, is little better with internal party opposition unless it comes from people with power. This is what you get for electing a multi-millionaire my-way-or-the-highway business leader as PM. He might make mouth noises about political deficits but he's damned comfortable with what is basically a one-man show and not likely to want to give away any of his power.