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In case it isn’t blindingly obvious, the form of democracy as practised by Canada in 2025 is completely dysfunctional. We have had a series of minority governments that can’t get any legislation passed due to an excess of political machination.
Democratic government is always a balance between two party objectives: governing the country and getting elected so they can run the country. The problem with a first-past-the-post system is the over importance of winning a majority. This allows governments to “get things done.” In other words, the 37% of the voters who “won” the election get to force their will on the rest of us for four years.
Minority Governments
So, when a party wins a mere minority, governing the country goes straight to the back of the bus. The main objective of the government is to use their powers to manipulate the situation so they can call an election at the right moment to get the blue ribbon.
This is the reason that minority governments tend not to last very long. Nobody wants one, and nobody knows how to run one. Anybody who gets one is working in foreign territory. The rule book is out the window, and whatever works is the best action. Historically, less than 30% of federal minority governments have been given majorities in the following election, but hope springs eternal.
That Was Then…
Recently, (2/3 of federal elections this century) the voting public has in their wisdom not chosen to give any party a majority. Probably a wise choice. So, we have Mr. Trudeau complaining last year that Parliament was deadlocked, only passing twelve bills in their last session. And how has Mr. Carney fared this fall, when we are in much worse straits? Well, only one bill passed. And what’s his greatest achievement? Getting two Conservatives to cross the floor and join him.
Excuse me while I clear my throat meaningfully and draw his attention back to the economy, a couple of major wars and oh, yes. The environment. What they should be doing is finding people to cooperate with them to take action that will benefit Canadians. Instead, they’re focusing on poaching members from the Opposition.
The Expected Result
When you have a competition where the teams are equal, it is difficult to get a clear majority. Team loyalty becomes paramount, and any sort of cooperation with the other side is counterproductive. Divisiveness is the order of the day, and nothing ever gets done.
The Bottom Line
The voters of Canada have been sending the politicians a message. It’s time to create a less competitive form of government and formalize it so that they have a framework upon which to build the country we want.
A small hint to Canadian politicians: Proportional Representation has been running for a long time in many countries. No need to re-invent the wheel. There are plenty of European experts dying to teach Canadian political parties how to win at Pro Rep. You can benefit the voters and keep politicking like you always did. Do yourselves a favour and start looking for win-win solutions.