Like most Canadians, I’ve a spent much of the past week or so trying to figure out what the general election really meant. As I did, a horrible thought occurred to me – my perspective might just be affected by the number of grey hairs I’ve gathered over the years!
One’s age, gender, and position in life always affect one’s outlook and that affects how you vote. Why is it so bad that my outlook is different than that of my children and grandchildren? Actually one of my grandchildren inherited my contrariness and our letters seem more like plots than the usual letters between a lovely young lady at university and her adoring grampa!
Time changes one’s perspective, if only because there isn’t much you haven’t seen. One gets, at my slightly advanced age, a strong sense of déjà vu when viewing election campaigns and their aftermath.
God only knows how many wastrels I have seen who have bankrupted the country, only to find that the next business cycle bailed out his successor and made him look like a financial genius.
Heroes become bums and vice versa – the process doesn’t take long. One need only remember Pierre Trudeau to see how a man could be loved, then hated as a wastrel, then revered once death has ensured his absence from the scene. I could go on but it might be more useful if I gave the perspective of this senior citizen and let you see whether or not it has any merit.
Becoming a conserver, not a Conservative
As we age we tend to become a little conservative but not necessarily in the political sense of the word. In fact, I have tended to move the other way over the last 30 years or so.
I have become conservative in the sense that I want to conserve what is good and let go of antiquated styles and narrow concepts. I recognize those things change and that the times we viewed as being pretty stuffy and sexless were often quite the opposite, in fact. I’m much concerned with what is going to happen to Canada and the way it is governed than the usual worries about kids, their music and sex habits, money and whether we will all have driverless cars.
A huge country
I have confessed too often to deny now that I am a devout British Columbian before all else. That being said, I strongly believe it’s worthwhile to keep Canada together, but know that that will take hard work and that time is short. What’s required is a combination of what’s turned out to be good and to confine changes to curing fundamental and related evils.
The first issue we must examine is pretty basic.
The country is huge, with a substantial populations in a few areas and sparseness in the rest. This leads to political and economic imbalance. Larger population areas like southern Ontario, are going to have more money, thus more clout politically, which in turn will mean that their view of what Canadian rights should be will, perforce, be very different from someone who lives in Smithers, BC, or Cornerbrook, Newfoundland. Indeed, the rights will be different, creating resentment.
This raises an obvious question: Is this such a natural development that nothing can be done and we should just accept it? If we do, as the future unfolds, will the country remain reasonably content at being together, in fact, as well as legally? Or, will resentment simmer and grow, such that in time many Canadians will simply say, “To hell with it, I would rather go it alone”?
Distinct regions and cultures
This has been a basic question in Quebec for a very long time and is one that more than occasionally passes the lips of British Columbians. There are distinct regions in Canada which stand alone economically and, I daresay, culturally. For those who feel that we need to do nothing because the country will always stay together, I ask this question: What if Quebec were to secede? It seems less likely now than 20 years ago but these things tend to be cyclical. Does anyone believe that the rest would stay together with Ontario, having about 50% of the members of the House of Commons?
We must renew our vows, so to speak, just as many older married couples might wish to do. Not toss them out but re-visit a few of them and perhaps adjust them to suit the present situation, not the catechism of all those years ago!
Reforming the system
This is why I have written so much about reforming, not radically changing our system. I recognize that even if, from on high, gold tablets were to appear bearing the formula for perfect government, we wouldn’t want to cast aside what has evolved from a couple of thousand years of political development.
We’ve learned in the last 10 years that the spirit of our system can be quickly and effectively destroyed if the Prime Minister so desires. All he need do is use the powers of the whip and the carrot, very effective weapons indeed, as we have seen, and the essence of parliamentary democracy takes an air of pantomime and the power of the MP might just as well be in the pub as in the House of Commons.
This raises two critical changes that must be made.
First and foremost, the system must be such that ultimate power remains in reality, not just in theory only, in the members of the House of Commons and that the government be always subject to recall by them – not just in theory but in workable practice.
Second, power must be distributed so that all regions in fact participate in the nation’s governance and are not merely onlookers whose only involvement is membership in a political party whose leader drops in at election time.
I don’t think that doing this would be as difficult as it sounds. If Mr.Harper has left any worthwhile legacy it’s a strong desire in Canadians to change and with a much clearer understanding of why change is necessary and what needs to be done.
It’s not my purpose to outline my own private solutions, not just because they may not be helpful, but because they alter as I think about the problem!
Kill “first past the post”, fix Senate
I’ll leave with these two observations:
We have an electoral system where almost 50% of those who vote will waste that vote. Just as bad, it discourages people from voting. No amount of skating around will alter the fact that “first past the post” only works in favour of prime ministerial dictatorship and those who profit because of it.
Secondly, in a country this large and so unevenly populated, there is the clear need for an upper house, which is a long way from endorsing the present set-up. The fundamental flaw with the present Senate is that it is supposed to represent the regions, but Senators are appointed by the prime minister!
When you combine that with the gross geographical distortions that have taken place, where, for example, New Brunswick has more senators than does British Columbia, it’s obvious wholesale changes are necessary.
Having been involved in constitutional discussions at the highest level, I’m confident that we can make the necessary alterations. It will take a great deal of taffee pulling and goodwill but when people are under great pressure to succeed, it usually brings out the best in them. Canadians are demanding change where MPs represent them, speak for them and vote for them, not get paid $170,000 to be a ventriloquist’s dummy.
In short, this old fisherman sees the country at the point where it must fish or cut bait – and the time is now.
Anon above sez:”Recall Leonard Krog and who do we get in Nanaimo? Jeet Manhas? Not a chance !!! Carole James maybe.”Perhaps you shuold familiarize yo’self with the Recall Legislation – YOU DON’T GET ANYBODY or anything. The only thing you get in a successful recall is an empty seat and NOT OPTIONAL bye-election. Krog, if recalled, could even run in the bye-election and try to make his constituents believe he would actually be an effective “Justice Critic” or Attorney General. So far in an environment rife with low hanging fruit and rampant abuse of due process (suspect Special Prosecutors – and for MUCH more than the odd campaign donation, attempted jury tampering, obstruction of justice from the Premier’s Office and failure to comply with discovery, Solicitor-General after Solicitor General more likely to be a criminal than crime fighter, lobbying abuses run wild – like Mr. Many Hats Kinsella and lobbyist in all but name Dobell, scandals at BCLC, ICBC, and so much more) Lenny Boy Krog has been almost silent (or complicit?). Only in BC does it take third parties like the UN to point out the criminality of the Campbell Regime while Lenny the “Justice Critic” maintains silence of almost all issues – unless like on the anniversary date of the BC Rail Scam, when untold benefits automatically accrued to CN (in virtual secrecy vis-a-vis the Lamestream) Lenny shows up for a photo op, when it is too late to stand up for justice. I’d be happy to see a complete house cleaning, remove ’em all, Liarbrals and NDP – leaving maybe Farnsworth, Dix, Herbert and Horgan – well, I’ve got nothing agains my own area reps, Mungall and Conroy – so leave those six, and in most other ridings, anyone else would be an improvement. Vicki Huntington can stay as well – I’m sure just those seven could provide better government than we now have – just like Jenny and Joy were a more effective opposition, in spite of Gordo’s meaness in denying them resources in the flush of his lopsided victory through lying and cheating!
A senior citizen from NS, I have relatives in both BC and Alberta who I visited during late September and early October. Penticton is about as isolated a place as I have ever visited, and people there are about as interested in Vancouver as they are in Nova Scotia. I was even asked if we could grow apples in Nova Scotia, said adult apparently believing not in a “nasty” way, that the place is perpetually covered in snow. Well, we are at the 45th parallel, much further south than BC, so yes, dear BCers we can grow apples and a lot more beside.
To argue that Ontario is so far away from BC and its interests, that in the event of Quebec separation that BC should leave Canada as well, is a sorry thought. To carry the argument reductio ad absurdum, Vancouver should be a separate province, because it and the rest of the province have little in common, from geography to climate. In fact, to follow that line of thought to its silly conclusion, every little hamlet should govern itself, free from outside influence that might go against its interests.
In Alberta, I find people who are confusing the fact that oil is found in their territory with Alberta’s free spirit and entrepreneurship, rather than the accident of geography it is. They want to keep it all for themselves, as if some God on high deeded it to Albertans alone, and to whom it “belongs”.
The real failure of Canada is in not educating its citizenry about our country. Dullness of mind has long been a Canadian trait, and the complete lack of interest by our citizens in our constituent provinces is the result. Knowing virtually nothing and wishing to know even less is indicative of the dullard Canadian mind. Being interested only in local things is the result.
I read this blog for interest’s sake, and am pained to discover that when Fisheries are discussed, only the BC viewpoint is considered with respect to federal regulations. It’s all a bit small-minded, when you consider that fisheries are also important to the entire Atlantic region and Quebec as well.
Perhaps the fact that Canada was conceived as a federation with provinces to look after local interests has been overlooked. Rather than present a tedious argument about breaking up the federation based entirely on local interests, I suggest that all Canadians spend a bit more time showing some interest in the country rather than gazing at their own navels and pronouncing that good, everything else bad.
If this country breaks up, the resulting balkanization would be wondrous to behold. The only scenario after that would be that to keep our standard of living, we would become part of the USA. There is no scenario for glorious BC, or any other province for that matter, to become a wondrous new prosperous solo country in the world.
You might contemplate becoming part of the USA, I won’t. Luckily I am old enough that I’ll be gone before any of this is decided. Let’s not waste what we have now.
Total agreement Bill.
As an ex-pat Nova Scotian that has lived in BC twice as long as I lived in NS (I’m not really sure what to call myself. A “Bluenoser”? A “Lotus eater”? A Canadian?)
The historical, geographic, economic and political ignorance of Canadians about their own country knows no bounds…. And in the “cyber-age” of micro attention spans…..I dont expect most people’s civic knowledge to improve.
I expect in the future that Quebec will seperate in a referendum that will be similar to the last “near miss” in the 1990’s, full of half truths, lies and socialist/seperatiste pseudo economics that insists “things will be better if we leave Canada” ( with a long separated Scotland having morphed into dismal, unemployed, welfare state by that time as an example of what can happen when purveyors theoretical economics collide with reality). This will lead to the eventual balkanization of a once great Federation of Provinces. The US will cherry pick the good parts and leave the rest to wither.
Rafe . As for the Canadian political system I disagree. A few tweaks to the system as opposed to the “killing first past the post” and an “elected senate”….ugh.
We have a hard enough time getting people to vote . I cant imagine the voter “angst” with a “new” voter system that keeps dragging on and on and on with “second run off votes” etc.
As for the Senate. All of those appointed , unaccountable wastrels should be punted to the curb. We dont need the Senate voting in partisan obstinence to thwart a majority govts wishes.. If the “gridlocked ” US political system is an example of “democracy” ….I shudder.
We dont need MORE politicians lying as they prostrate themselves in front of us while lobbyists stuff their pockets with campaign money and expectations of getting “their” laws passed.
We have elections every 4 years, referendums if so needed, and the Supreme Court to rid us of unjust Laws.
Not another election process that would be “sandwiched in between” the regular election. How long before voters would be even more disenfranchised with the entire corrupt process? 4 years and two expensive elections? 8 years?
My suggestions
If Canada had a “two term as PM” maximum rule Harper would have been gone long ago. His arrogance, domineering rule and obstinacy made for a mockery of democracy. Change the rules so that no leader can stay longer than two terms….even in times of emergency.
Abolish Lobbying. It has totally corrupted the democratic process when leaders need hundreds of millions of dollars to get elected. No more “half rules” against lobbying that slick lawyers seem to find ways around every election. No more lobbying …period.
Abolish the senate. It was based on that anachronism the “House of Lords” in British Parliament. They are looking at abolishing it as well. Time to save Parliament from itself and bring back voter interest.
rant over.
Oh, almost forgot.
Bill, if you want to find a place even more “remote” than Penticton. May I suggest driving to Stewart , BC. ? But not in the winter. The avalanches might get you.
For many years, Canada’s courts have selected jury panel members with almost no complaints of unfairness. Why can’t we adopt a similar process for selecting members of the Red Chamber?
For example, why not elect potential senators (senate panel members) during municipal elections? Then, when a vacancy occurs in the senate, a name can be drawn by lot from the elected panel members?