Down With Elitism

Canadian politics continues to be controlled by the same small group that has always run the show. It's time to open things up to the people.

Despite the huffing and puffing around Ottawa, as the House of Commons breaks for the summer, there is an air of inevitability about a future Canadian progressive coalition. Indeed, polls suggest the majority of Canadians would favour a new cooperative approach between the Liberals and the New Democrats. What is less clear is what a possible accord might look like.

Outright merger? Possible, of course, but politically unlikely in my view. Too many Liberals still believe they are the “natural governing party,” and too many Canadians actually think the NDP are socialists. What about pre-election strategizing between these two parties, then? Smart, I think, but according to Michael Ignatieff this is also unlikely. Ignatieff, of course, has taken so many different positions on a coalition, it’s tough to know where he stands exactly. But taking him at his word, the only possible option under his leadership is a post-election coalition of the willing.

While some will breathe a sigh of relief that this very normal parliamentary development is finally being considered in Canada, the fact that it took so long tells us something about our politics. The coalition talk could be seen as an opportunity to fundamentally rethink the Canadian political landscape. Yet it appears that this discussion is destined to be held among the same old fogies who have been running our politics in backrooms for decades.

Unfortunately, despite the low popularity of our federal leaders and rumblings of possible leadership reviews, the chance that ordinary Canadians will be involved in deciding the next generation of leaders seems unlikely. Canada’s political system is closed and this calcified approach to governance makes a mockery of our democratic institutions.

Globe and Mail columnist John Ibbitson, offers a useful starting point for understanding what ails Canadian democracy. In his brief but engaging pamphlet “Open and Shut,” Ibbitson seems to suggest that, were the primary battle between Clinton and Obama to have occurred in Canada, Clinton would have won. This is not due to Canada’s unexamined and often complicated approach to race relations. Instead, he argues, that in the corridors of power and party backrooms where these decisions are made, it would have been seen as Clinton’s “turn.” Ibbitson suggests that Canadian politics is largely controlled by a few individuals in each party who wield far too much influence over who gets nominated and which leaders remain viable. This runs counter to those interested in open, transparent, and accountable government, and makes real political cooperation more difficult. It also undermines democracy – if anyone still cares about that old chestnut.

Imagine that, instead of the typical summer BBQ circuits, the parties undertook leadership reviews. Imagine that they held regional gatherings where they debated Canada’s future under their leadership and the possible role of a coalition to secure a stable political majority. Imagine that the parties simplified their membership processes, allowed party members to vote online, and encouraged more direct participation by regular Canadians.

Is Harper brave enough to allow challengers to emerge? Let's see Iggy fight off some aspiring leaders and earn a real mandate from his party. Wouldn’t you like to see Jack in action? Let's see him secure his legacy by encouraging the next generation of centre-left leadership to emerge. Let's see our leaders prepare for the almost certain fall election by engaging, debating, and educating the electorate. What are they afraid of?

Some will argue that party rules and regulations prevent this sort of leadership review on such short notice. Yet in our present state of pre-coalition discussions, the old rules simply do not apply. A more likely objection is that the potential costs of this strategy are higher than any possible political benefit. In our risk adverse political culture, principled leadership is rare.

Call me naive, but I would like to see our leaders defy the old politics of elitism and use the leadership reviews to allow new voices and choices to emerge. By all means run to win, but don’t be afraid to discuss how a coalition might work. If it is going to happen, let's make sure it's done right and done democratically. If it is not, let's make sure we are honest with ourselves about what the consequences are likely to be.

It’s Conservatives or coalitions in Canada, and it is time for a national conversation about the kind of government Canadians want.