Published September 23 , 2009
By Robert Roach
The Liberals failed on Friday to bring down the Conservative government, but Canadians still face the prospect of an election that they don't want and we still have no idea what the election is supposed to be about other than a spitting contest between Iggy and Harper.
If we are to avoid a dismal turnout and even more cynicism about contemporary politics, it is imperative that we make the election about something more than a horse race between the parties.
To get the ball rolling, here are 10 key issues that would enliven the debate and help prepare Canada for the tough economic slogging that lies ahead. Half of the issues are focused on current economic and political hurdles, while the other half speak to longstanding problems with the structure and functioning of our national government.
All parties are challenged to respond to this menu of issues in the hope that the election will be remembered for the challenges it addressed, rather than which party managed to cobble together enough votes to form a government.
1. Canada-US Relations. It is time for a new continental policy that goes beyond NAFTA to create a North American economic and security zone that will reverse the recent thickening of the Canada-US border. We need to engage the Americans with big ideas rather than a litany of small complaints and grievances.
2. Pan-Canadian Energy Strategy. Energy in all its forms is the dominant economic and political issue of our time. Despite this, Canada lacks a coordinated, comprehensive and bold plan for responding to the economic disruptions created by the transition to a low carbon world or for capitalizing on the many economic opportunities it will bring. There is a yawning gap between domestic climate change policy and the energy realities and possibilities embedded in the global shift to a low carbon economy.
3. Population Aging. We know that Canada's population is aging and that it will affect virtually every area of public policy—from transportation and health care to pensions and tax revenue. Despite this, the federal parties have not sufficiently outlined how they plan to address this fundamental demographic transformation.
4. Labour Shortages. The recession has temporarily obscured the skilled labour shortage issue, but it remains a long-term challenge for an aging population that needs to adapt to an ever more demanding global economy. This challenge needs to be addressed on multiple fronts including education, immigration and economic development.
5. The Knowledge Economy. The exodus of manufacturing from Canada to other countries, the recent blows to the Canadian auto sector, the greening of the economy, the increasing demand for highly skilled workers, and the connection between “good jobs” and the knowledge economy all point to the critical importance of retooling the Canadian economy so it can compete at the upper end of the global value chain. From venture capital and commercialization of research to post-secondary education and immigration, Canada needs a proactive strategy for hauling in a bigger load from the international knowledge economy.
6. Making Minority Governments Work. Many signs point to the possibility that minority governments may be the “new normal” in Canada. We must, therefore, find ways to make minority governments more functional. We need new and improved procedural and institutional innovations to make these governments work rather than crossing our collective fingers and waiting for a majority.
7. Senate Reform. The record shows that politicians have had no success at fundamentally reforming the anti-democratic anachronism that is the Canadian Senate. It is time to let the public take a crack at designing a new Senate by creating a citizens' assembly to debate the issue and recommend a way forward.
8. Power of the Prime Minister. It is very dangerous to allow too much power to concentrate in one political office, but this has been the case in Canada since Trudeau. Not only does the Prime Minister have sweeping powers of appointment, the PM controls the most powerful agencies of the federal government. This is an unhealthy situation in a democracy.
9. Party Discipline. Party discipline improves the efficiency of the national government, but it is also contributes to the excessive power of the Prime Minister and effectively muzzles the voices of individual MPs. This reduces the ability of MPs to represent their constituents, raise matters of local concern and challenge the PM and Cabinet on key issues.
10. Royal Commission on the Roles, Responsibilities and Constitutional Status of Cities. The rules regarding Canada's municipalities were developed in, and are suited to, an era that has long since passed into the history books. A Royal Commission would provide much needed analysis from a variety of perspectives as well as concrete recommendations for expanding the debate and changing the outdated status quo.
If the looming election embraces these sorts of issues, it would be worth having.