Vancouver Province
for May 19, 2000

I am a republican. If I could be tyrant for a day I would change the Canadian system to something resembling that in the United States. There would be no more so-called "responsible government" where, in theory, only the executive is "responsible" to the legislature. This system is outdated and doesn’t work in Canada. In fact we have a national dictator and ten provincial dictators who are impossible to oppose and, even when there are criminal investigations in place, almost impossible to depose.

The "responsible government" we were taught about in hushed terms has been set on its ear and instead of the legislature controlling the prime minister or premier it is now quite the other way around. The system, in a word, stinks.

But I’m also a realist. I know that we won’t change our system dramatically – at least not for a very long time. Major change is, short of force, which Canadians thankfully abhor, well nigh impossible. The public are easily put off by the specious and nice sounding arguments that if their MPs actually had power, the government would grind to a halt. That’s undemocratic barnyard droppings. So I propose some changes which require no constitutional amendments whatever but the change of one law, some parliamentary rules and some political practices.

First I suggest that the Elections Act be changed so that the Prime Minister has no say whatever in who runs for his party. This immediately takes from the Prime Minister the power to threaten the MP with political castration if he disobeys the rules and ends the pernicious practice of parachuting in friendly lickspittles. This power of the PM is little known outside parliament but it is his big stick and every MP knows about it. Disobey the leader and next time out you run as an independent and good luck to you. It is indeed a pernicious power which in the hands of a man like Chretien is unhesitatingly threatened and often used..

Second, give to the caucus the right to name those of their colleagues who will be in cabinet leaving the Prime Minister to select their positions. Right there you have given parliament back much of its lost control. The Labour Party in Britain has for a long time given the selection of cabinet ministers to the caucus. But if the Parliament is to control the government and not the other way around this is a good step down that path. The Prime Minister still has enormous influence on the selections of course.

Third, give caucus the power to name the chair and members of Parliamentary Committees. Committees are supposed to be the vehicles by which MPs hold the Prime Minister and his Cabinet’s feet to the fire. At present the system is a bad joke as the Prime minister controls both the committee and the chair who gets to set the agenda, most always in a way convenient to the leader. If committees can look at whatever they wish to within their mandate, not just do what they’re told, that enhances the MPs powers to the debit of the Prime Minister’s.

Fourth, on the petition of perhaps 1/3 of the Commons, provide a secret ballot. My position on this is offset by the shallow argument that we must be able to see how our MPs vote. Why? We know how they’re going to vote now – as they’re told. This would place in the hands of the opposition an immensely valuable tool in determining that the government MPs are in fact behind the government on some key issues. The contrary argument seems so strange to me. One of the great advances towards democracy was the secret ballot so that voters wouldn’t be suborned by outside pressures. Why should MPs have fewer protections than voters? Besides they already have a secret ballot for Speaker. And I don’t propose that it be invariable – only when a sizeable minority demands it.

I might say that these reforms will not restore to the MP all the rights and dignities he should possess. Even with MP appointed committees and Chairs of committees it will take a brave MP to cross his leader. But that taken together with the Member’s entitlement to run without his leader’s permission will go a long way to bringing government back to the Member of Parliament and, thus back to the ordinary Canadians who elect them.