CKNW Editorial
for February 16, 2000

Suppose you’re a federal Liberal … now I apologize for that … I know that the handbook says never insult a listener … but let’s just make believe. And suppose you are at a nomination meeting where there are three candidates. Candidate #1 is a pillar in the community. University educated, he/she has been highly successful in life and is involved in all manner of community work. Just the right age, not too old and not too young this candidate looks to be as close to the perfect person as you can find.

Candidate #2 is a bounder and a cad whose word can’t ever be relied upon. Sleazy in private life he/she has shown not the slightest interest in affairs of the community.

Candidate #3 is an inarticulate, bombastic bore whose only accomplishment was to inherit enough money so that he/she didn’t have to work very hard. Like candidate #2, he/she is a most unsatisfactory person.

As a delegate, whom do you vote for?

The answer is simple – what the hell does it matter? None of them will ever speak out publicly in criticism of the government and all will claim, and have it claimed on their behalf, that while they keep their thoughts to themselves they’re hell on wheels for their constituency and province behind closed doors.

But, you say, maybe Candidate #1 will be a cabinet minister. Right – sort oif like Hedy Fry perhaps. Someone you thought had promise but in the end only had promises. Someone well enough educated and dressed to look the role but sufficiently compliant that he/she is a safe bet to be a lickspittle at a slightly higher level than MP.

The reason for this raw cynicism is the system we’re permitted to develop in this country. The person intended to be all powerful … the person upon whose favour those in cabinet and the Prime Minister should most curry is simply a cipher that does what he’s told and never, ever utters a word of criticism of his prime minister, his cabinet or his party.

This isn’t the way it was intended and it’s not the way it works in other countries but it’s how it is here.

I’ve been involved for the past couple of months with a group of people for whom I have a very high regard. We’re trying to offer for public debate some solutions to our problems of governance in this province and I must tell you it gives a great deal of pleasure to have these colleagues. We all come at the issues from different perspectives and often much different political positions. And the solutions we offer will, I have no doubt, differ from one another often quite severely. But there is one thing upon which we are unanimous – the MP or MLA must have his intended power and dignity restored so that it will make a difference whom you support.

What I find most annoying – and I believe my colleagues do to – is the casual attitude of governments both in Ottawa and Victoria to the problems. If you are to believe them, there is no problem or, if there is one, it’s of insufficient priority with voters to require any action.

There is a reason for this of course. Because they don’t intend any reforms their best defence is to make us believe that they are not needed.

Well, I don’t believe what they say and I don’t believe it because I listen very carefully to what you have to say and what you write me. There is a terrific sense of disconnection between those doing the governing and those being governed. It has bred an indifference towards politicians amounting sometimes to anger approaching hatred. Politicians avoid confrontations whether it’s on this show or in other forums. The Prime Minister, when he comes to town (which is rarely considering that this is the third largest province in Canada) is very careful to pick his spots so as to avoid a bad sound bite. The voter feels disconnected because he is disconnected.

There can be change in this province. And it will come if every member of every political party makes it a condition of their support that reform be carried out in consultation with the people. Gordon Campbell has promised this – all who support him must ensure that all who go into the election by his side pledge support for people led reform.

The time has come … nay it is long past due … when the MP and MLA must be the political embodiment of the people not the servant of the party dedicated to sustain that party at all costs.