Canada governing confusing ... ripe for change
I am not sure if readers of this essay or blog understand the new political reality Canada seems to have adopted since the turn of the century. Politicians solicit votes the same as always but aside from acting as a civil servant-type of resource solving personal, for the most part inconsequential local issues for citizens, Mp’s only make certain to attend as many social functions as possible. Politicians aside from possibly some high profile ministers are now almost all dedicated to electing, re-electing or trying to get the party each represents to some degree of power brokering.
To some extent the scenario has always been the role of those seeking office. When was last time a politician sent out an information pamphlet asking constituents to comment on current issues the party is supporting or opposing? The norm is to send out photo ops regarding local citizen special accomplishments or anniversaries together with documentation based on party headquarters information dockets outlining accomplishments or issues the party is either working on or completed. Every party depends on party supporting polling firms to collect information. Most poll respondents reply either reluctantly, not at all, or if politically active with answers related to the party line. Would it not be more representative to send out a questionnaire asking voters opinions on current issues? Especially since the cost of sending out information is paid for by the taxpayer.
Another change is the way the current majority government decided to exclude input from opposition parties and for that matter the media in a planned effort to further the parties carefully crafted agenda meant to assure re-election.
Let’s begin by dealing with the lack of opposition input. It does not seem the PMO is aware only 35% to 40% of Canadians actually voted for the party. The percentage was higher for those that actually voted but in reality only a little over one-third of Canadians gave the Harper led Conservatives a majority government. The government’s agenda since 2011 appears to have been imposed on Canadians like it or not. Rendering other parties ineffectual as has been the case due to the minority status of the opposition is not traditional Canadian.
Historically the government is held to account by the media but that too has changed. Many media analysts professing to be journalists recently dispensed with the usual criteria of offering balanced and non-partisan columns and television news program appearances. The change has weakened the print news media already competing with social media for audience. Newspaper corporations are reportedly feeling the pressure to some extent. The situation might not be as dire as at first predicted since most newspapers are building an on-line subscriber base. Whether the e-base will be sufficient to keep advertisers from deserting traditional print media is largely unknown. Recent staff and physical location downgrading together with diversification might be the best indicator of how much pressure is being felt for drastic change. Traditional media like most other industry must find ways to accommodate needed change for survival. The situation is also clear indication journalism must revert to traditional standards.
The upcoming battle is likely between the Harper Conservative government and the media. The PMO has relentlessly ignored the media instilling rules such as a need to submit questions prior to asking questions of the Prime Minister. Combine that tactic with the government’s perchance for ignoring a meeting with the provincial premiers and the end result will undoubtedly result in one of two scenarios. The Harper conservatives will be re-elected with a majority and deepen the divide with the media. The other possibilities are either Liberals under the youthful but untried Trudeau leadership, the NDP under the strong guidance of Mulcair with a revised agenda could squeaks out a slight majority victories. The most logical possibility would be a minority government with either of those leaders holding the balance of power, or possible even forming the next government.
Everything connected with the future of Canada’s government is mass confusion at this juncture but recent election results tell us polls are often wrong and the unexpected can happen.
To some extent the scenario has always been the role of those seeking office. When was last time a politician sent out an information pamphlet asking constituents to comment on current issues the party is supporting or opposing? The norm is to send out photo ops regarding local citizen special accomplishments or anniversaries together with documentation based on party headquarters information dockets outlining accomplishments or issues the party is either working on or completed. Every party depends on party supporting polling firms to collect information. Most poll respondents reply either reluctantly, not at all, or if politically active with answers related to the party line. Would it not be more representative to send out a questionnaire asking voters opinions on current issues? Especially since the cost of sending out information is paid for by the taxpayer.
Another change is the way the current majority government decided to exclude input from opposition parties and for that matter the media in a planned effort to further the parties carefully crafted agenda meant to assure re-election.
Let’s begin by dealing with the lack of opposition input. It does not seem the PMO is aware only 35% to 40% of Canadians actually voted for the party. The percentage was higher for those that actually voted but in reality only a little over one-third of Canadians gave the Harper led Conservatives a majority government. The government’s agenda since 2011 appears to have been imposed on Canadians like it or not. Rendering other parties ineffectual as has been the case due to the minority status of the opposition is not traditional Canadian.
Historically the government is held to account by the media but that too has changed. Many media analysts professing to be journalists recently dispensed with the usual criteria of offering balanced and non-partisan columns and television news program appearances. The change has weakened the print news media already competing with social media for audience. Newspaper corporations are reportedly feeling the pressure to some extent. The situation might not be as dire as at first predicted since most newspapers are building an on-line subscriber base. Whether the e-base will be sufficient to keep advertisers from deserting traditional print media is largely unknown. Recent staff and physical location downgrading together with diversification might be the best indicator of how much pressure is being felt for drastic change. Traditional media like most other industry must find ways to accommodate needed change for survival. The situation is also clear indication journalism must revert to traditional standards.
The upcoming battle is likely between the Harper Conservative government and the media. The PMO has relentlessly ignored the media instilling rules such as a need to submit questions prior to asking questions of the Prime Minister. Combine that tactic with the government’s perchance for ignoring a meeting with the provincial premiers and the end result will undoubtedly result in one of two scenarios. The Harper conservatives will be re-elected with a majority and deepen the divide with the media. The other possibilities are either Liberals under the youthful but untried Trudeau leadership, the NDP under the strong guidance of Mulcair with a revised agenda could squeaks out a slight majority victories. The most logical possibility would be a minority government with either of those leaders holding the balance of power, or possible even forming the next government.
Everything connected with the future of Canada’s government is mass confusion at this juncture but recent election results tell us polls are often wrong and the unexpected can happen.
