December 2024
Canada’s faux-democracy – a phenomenon I described in my 2021 short e-book – continues to thrive three years later as we head into a watershed election.
My guide to Canada’s faux-democracy and how to fix it is a practical one. It is informed not by any top-down academic, legal, or political approach. Rather, it reflects my hands-on, practical experience in the undemocratic underbelly of party politics. It is shaped, as well, by what I learned building a broad non-partisan coalition of Canadians from 1987 to 1992 to oppose successfully the misguided constitutional proposals supported by all the leaders of the established political parties.
My observations and suggestions to strengthen democracy set out in the 2021 guide require no substantive updates on the eve of another election. Unfortunately, the Trudeau government has simply further entrenched faux-democracy in the intervening years.
Today, the desperate efforts of Justin Trudeau to cling to power at all costs reveals a level of narcissism that might even humble Donald Trump, were that possible.
Trudeau’s government is as irritating as the unproductive cough that lingers after a bout with COVID-19. The remaining shell of a Liberal Party faces a well-deserved annihilation at the polls.
In 2024, Canadians have no confidence in governments’ ability to help us improve our standards of living, future prospects, and happiness. Too many of us face long-term stagnation of incomes, with high inflation now reducing real incomes further and making basic necessities like food and shelter unaffordable.
Canadians’ cynicism is all-pervasive and baked in, and we welcome a federal election and change of government.
Disillusioned and disaffected Canadians are coalescing behind Pierre Poilievre and the Conservative Party, not because of ideology or partisanship, and in spite of the widespread distrust of political parties generally. The Conservative Party is now seen as the only credible agent of disruptive change.
Canadians are ready for a new government at the federal level that will shake things up and restore Canada’s coherence both domestically and internationally. But we also want the government to respect the principle of holding power in trust for the people, and stop the dangerous drift to faux-democracy.
See my latest blog on how a Pierre Poilievre government can be a positive game-changer – Canada’s faux-democracy heads into a watershed election: How a Pierre Poilievre government can be a positive game-changer.
Deborah Coyne