The Conservatives continue to claim that a coalition government consisting of Liberal and NDP MPs would be undemocratic. Maybe its time they took some lessons in democracy.
Canada’s government is based on the concept of Representational Democracy, and follows the English model – as a former colony. When we go to the polls we elect a Member of Parliament – we do NOT elect a Party. That the Member we elect is a member of a Party is not theoretically of any importance.
Once the election is concluded the Head of State, in our case the Governor General – the Queen’s representative – chooses the individual as Prime Minister that he/she believes has the support of a majority of the members. While this is normally the leader of the largest party, this is just because that leader can be expected to get a vote of confidence in Parliament.
If there is a vote of no confidence in Parliament, the Governor General has two choices, dissolve Parliament and call an election or ask someone else to see if they can get a vote of confidence passed. Both of these options are completely democratic.
So Prime Minister Stephen Harper – you are a smart man – so stop trying to hoodwink Canadians about what is democratic and what is not, in order to save your political bacon. If you were a real leader you would admit to making a mistake and call on the other political parties to work together to solve the economic mess we are in.
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