In light of the brouhaha between the Chief Justice and the Prime Minister, one can be forgiven for wondering: who runs this country? Is it a democracy? Well, not strictly speaking - it is a representative democracy whereby political parties, a first-past-the-post electoral system and rules of Parliament mean much of our law does not have popular support, let alone majority support.
Even then it can be struck down by the Supreme Court, where there actually is a democratic system: a vote of 5 to 4 against can decide the direction of our country on major issues, even against the will of Parliament. Supreme Court judges are appointed in a system that requires legal knowledge and political connections. It seems to be a system that works best for special interests and worst against regular people who are not particularly interested in the system - until it is too late and their country is changed beyond recognition.
Often we find the World Wars of the twentieth century invoked as the price of our freedom; often I wonder if our enemies of those wars wouldn't find this society more recognizable than our ancestors.
Brett Blaikie
Prince George
