Thursday, June 14, 2012

Bill C-38 is Why Things Have to Change

If it hadn't been clear to all Canadians that Majority governments can do as they please, what is happening in Parliament with Bill C-38 should disabuse the remaining citizens that sufficient checks and balances are in place to control over zealous Legislation.
Bill C-38 is an omnibus bill, a single piece of legislation that contains multiple provisions, in this case over 70 substantive changes existing policy and Legislative acts. When you open that link to Bill C-38 it opens to the table of contents, you can see first hand how many different acts this bill effects.

You will here from various sources including the most important, the Speaker of the House,  ruled that the omnibus bill was in order but helpfully suggested that Mps might want to examine the whole idea of Omnibus legislation. Something that all parties has had an opportunity to do but steadfastly neglected. Many conservative have adopted the notion that there is nothing to see here, the bill is nothing more than away to deal with a number of issues at once, in an efficient manner, and the Liberals did it. The conservatives are fond of "and the Liberals did it". I would highlight the end of John Ivison's piece,

Conservatives like Mr. Van Loan in opposition.
As he said of a similarly cynical move by the Liberals in 2005: “A major reason I became politically active was because many in my family (I’m Estonian) lost their lives or freedom at the hands of the Soviets or Nazis. I believe our democracy is fragile and something we must cherish and defend. Thursday, June 23, 2005, was a sad day for democracy in Canada.”
I'm not going to suggest that the conservatives are the only ones who forget where they stood on an issue once they hit government benches, but Ivison thought this quote stood out and so do I. His core reason for becoming political was a desire to protect Democracy. He was opposed to what he saw as the Undemocratic behaviour of the Liberals. I believe he meant what he said. I don't know how parliamentary  geography can change that view.
It is clear that Governing parties find it impossible to put in to place legislation or policies that will limit their ability to act. That opposition parties, when in position to do so will find ways to avoid it, just in case they ever form government. It seems that everyone knows what abuse of power looks like when they see it. Just that they are unable or willing to recognize it in there own faction. Do you hear that massive silence coming from the conservative rank and file. That silence is take for support. 
The conservatives give little indication that they care about the opinions of non-conservative voters. The conservative base is solid and seemingly large enough to ensure continued electoral success and that is what matters. This government will continued its effort to alter Canada to better reflect Conservative values.
At present the only way to prevent what is happening to Canada is to deny Majorities to any party. It is self evident that our Governments can't restrain themselves in the manner that they make use the power loaned to them by us. Whether they whittle away at our democracy or take a sledge hammer to it like with Bill C-38, doesn't matter, any diminution in Democracy is dangerous. I hold politicians primarily responsible but not alone, the citizen , the Media have added to the erosion. Since we can't always depend on getting the best of us into government, the next best option is to ensure that those that find themselves in power are suitably constrained in its use. 
Where there is convention governing action, it needs to be replaced by law, since precedent may not be enough, especially against claims of crisis.
We need to end first past the post and replace it with a more representative electoral system, like List Proportional Representation, Single Transferable Vote, Mixed Member Proportional System. 
Individual MPs must be redeemed from the back benches, no more sock puppetry.
Reduction in what qualifies as a vote of non-confidence, again freeing the MP to be Independent.
Greater involvement by citizens in the political infrastructure, through party membership, referendum and committee input. When a citizen feels they have a stake in the outcome they will become more involved 
None of these guarantee, you get better government, but they will go along way in ensuring the government of the day cant do as much harm.

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