Is the democratic process is alive and well in Canada, or is it in serious trouble?
I am of the opinion that serious reforms on the way the business is conducted in our Parliament are needed to prevent further erosion of the democratic process.
The Liberal Party of Canada put forth a platform calling for the reform of Parliament of Canada if they take power in the next election. Their main thrust of this idea is nothing new.
The New Democratic Party of Canada has been calling for this for decades.
Proportional representation was voted on here in British Columbia about two decades ago.
At that time the bar to adopt this proposal was sat at 60 per cent it received 55 per cent approval through referendum vote.
With the power of the Prime Minister's Office I feel one of the changes we need is an opportunity for all Canadians to elect their prime minister and deputy prime minister.
I feel that by instituting this type of reform would encourage more Canadians to vote. Unlike the United States, this idea could be done at the same time we elect our representatives.
I do not favour the way our prime minister is chosen.
Many of the attendees at these conventions are in 24-hour party mode.
I feel a vote requires a sober and a well thought out opinion.
Another way we could improve the way our Parliament works is do away with confidence and non-confidence vote and go to a secret ballot for each vote.
This would do away with party discipline since parties would not know who voted what.
Having these types of reform would eliminate the use of omnibus bills.
Omnibus bills, in my opinion, take away my right to fair and good representation that I voted for and that person is told to vote a party line.
This is as far as I am concerned an abuse of my tax dollars.
Since confederation both the Liberals and the Conservatives have had majorities in the Canadian government.
They have had ample time to institute reform of the House of Commons.
Conservatives previously had promised Canadians elected senators, but that did not happen. They campaigned against omnibus bills.
Remember the sixteen days the bells rang calling the Members of Parliament in to vote.
Since these Conservatives came to power they have used omnibus bills very often.
These omnibus bills seem always have time allocation limitations.
That removes rights and opportunity to ensure that we end up with good and clear laws.
The next federal election is this year.
I encourage all eligible, voting Canadians to take the time and get to know all candidates running in their electoral district. Above all vote.
Stan New
Prince George
