Democracy in action??
We've had three elections in the past four years. Each time, Canadians have elected a minority government.
Normally, a minority government will consult with and consider the views of the opposition parties in the formulation of public policy (and hence, new laws or amendments to current ones).
During its last reign of approximately three years, the Conservative party has been able to govern more like a majority government. They have great party discipline (great as in a lot)with nary a peep of dissent within the party during this time. They have shut down media access without any real complaints. Even the Public Service has fallen in line and dissenting leaks from "sources" within departments have been pretty much nonexistent.
Our last election produced another minority Conservative government. About 59% of eligible voters turned out across Canada and 37% of those voters cast ballots for the Conservatives. Our current PM, despite the fact that he and his cabinet were likely privy to secret briefings about the coming of an economic crisis, first statements during the last election campaign were that there were no problems in Canada and that the economy here was perfectly sound (the PM has a Masters in Economics from U of Calgary.). He has since modified his sound bites.
Now, the opposition parties are threatening a non-confidence motion on December 8 that would take down the current government and replace it with a coalition of the opposition parties. Liberal leader, Stephane Dion, who had already stated that he was going to step down as leader of the party, would become Prime Minister with the support of the NDP (and tacitly, the Bloc Quebecois, a party committed to the separation of Quebec from Canada). The Conservative Party has the most money in its coffers and is preparing a media blitz to call the move of the opposition undemocratic. The Conservatives have also been threatening to prorogue (ie. suspend) parliament until January in order to block the Opposition's non confidence vote.
To make things even more interesting, the PM must get the consent of the Governor General to prorogue parliament and the proposed coalition must get consent to form a government. The Governor General could just send the country back to the polls.
So, what do you think of our peaceful little country's parliamentary drama? Is the move of the opposition undemocratic even if it is an option allowed under Canada's system of government? Would proroguing parliament be undemocratic? Should the Governor General have so much authority?
More info:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/12/02/gg-return.html?Authorized=1&AuthenticationKey=2_21_da2b32af-adef-4ffe-aafc-44b4440d0af7.pakdlahgkfdfok
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/11/28/f-faq-coalition.html
http://www.cbc.ca/news/pdf/081201_Accord_en.pdf
http://www.cbc.ca/news/pdf/081201_Policy%20Frame_en.pdf
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canadavotes/story/2008/10/15/voter-turnout.html
Normally, a minority government will consult with and consider the views of the opposition parties in the formulation of public policy (and hence, new laws or amendments to current ones).
During its last reign of approximately three years, the Conservative party has been able to govern more like a majority government. They have great party discipline (great as in a lot)with nary a peep of dissent within the party during this time. They have shut down media access without any real complaints. Even the Public Service has fallen in line and dissenting leaks from "sources" within departments have been pretty much nonexistent.
Our last election produced another minority Conservative government. About 59% of eligible voters turned out across Canada and 37% of those voters cast ballots for the Conservatives. Our current PM, despite the fact that he and his cabinet were likely privy to secret briefings about the coming of an economic crisis, first statements during the last election campaign were that there were no problems in Canada and that the economy here was perfectly sound (the PM has a Masters in Economics from U of Calgary.). He has since modified his sound bites.
Now, the opposition parties are threatening a non-confidence motion on December 8 that would take down the current government and replace it with a coalition of the opposition parties. Liberal leader, Stephane Dion, who had already stated that he was going to step down as leader of the party, would become Prime Minister with the support of the NDP (and tacitly, the Bloc Quebecois, a party committed to the separation of Quebec from Canada). The Conservative Party has the most money in its coffers and is preparing a media blitz to call the move of the opposition undemocratic. The Conservatives have also been threatening to prorogue (ie. suspend) parliament until January in order to block the Opposition's non confidence vote.
To make things even more interesting, the PM must get the consent of the Governor General to prorogue parliament and the proposed coalition must get consent to form a government. The Governor General could just send the country back to the polls.
So, what do you think of our peaceful little country's parliamentary drama? Is the move of the opposition undemocratic even if it is an option allowed under Canada's system of government? Would proroguing parliament be undemocratic? Should the Governor General have so much authority?
More info:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/12/02/gg-return.html?Authorized=1&AuthenticationKey=2_21_da2b32af-adef-4ffe-aafc-44b4440d0af7.pakdlahgkfdfok
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/11/28/f-faq-coalition.html
http://www.cbc.ca/news/pdf/081201_Accord_en.pdf
http://www.cbc.ca/news/pdf/081201_Policy%20Frame_en.pdf
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canadavotes/story/2008/10/15/voter-turnout.html