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Argument: Although Canadian democracy suffers from a democratic deficit, it is a far better system than any alternative.OR Despite Canadian democracy being better than any alternative, reform and change is imperative to better meet the will of the people.
FYI, as of 2024, Canada has slipped one spot to 13th place, primarily due to a lower score in the functioning of government category. Despite this, it remains within the full democracy classification, reflecting robust democratic institutions and practices.
An institution, Edmund Burke argued, must periodically undergo reform (he used the word correction) in order to conserve the very principles upon which it was founded. Why is this? It is because with the passage of time, everything above, beneath and around the institution may have changed, and it must therefore adapt to those changes or become increasingly dysfunctional and irrelevant.
An institution, Edmund Burke argued, must periodically undergo reform (he used the word correction) in order to conserve the very principles upon which it was founded. Why is this? It is because with the passage of time, everything above, beneath and around the institution may have changed, and it must therefore adapt to those changes or become increasingly dysfunctional and irrelevant.
Excerpt from Turning Parliament Inside Out: Practical Ideas for Reforming Canada's Democracy
Excerpt from Turning Parliament Inside Out: Practical Ideas for Reforming Canada's Democracy
Potential issues to address:
Potential issues to address:
Presidential executive orders and Prime Ministerial Order in Councils
party solidarity, party discipline and free votes (three line whip?)
Implementing voter initiated referenda (ie. Switzerland) or ballot initiatives (ie. U.S.A)
power and influence of the PMO (versus the PCO)/decentralization of executive powers
make Parliament more family friendly (eliminate Friday sittings?)
elect the PM - following an election, the House of Commons should vote to elect a prime minister
Canada's parliament is executive centered, party dominated and adversial. This needs to change.
concentration of power in the cabinet (pg. 31 Turning Parliament Inside Out: Practical Ideas for Reforming Canada's Democracy)
WHITE PAPER EXEMPLAR
Argument: Canada's continued connection to the monarchy ensures a vital check and balance in Canadian government.
Argument: Canada's continued connection to the monarchy ensures a vital check and balance in Canadian government.
Grow up Canada_ keep the monarchy _ Toronto Star.pdfArgument: The electoral college is an archaic system and must be replaced by a more democratic means to elect an American president.
Argument: The electoral college is an archaic system and must be replaced by a more democratic means to elect an American president.
Should the Electoral College Be Abolished?
Should the Electoral College Be Abolished?
https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2016/11/16/should-the-electoral-college-be-abolished
Argument: Allowing for more direct democracy (in the forms of referendums and plebiscites) to Canada's representative democracy, would better meet the will of the people.
Argument: Allowing for more direct democracy (in the forms of referendums and plebiscites) to Canada's representative democracy, would better meet the will of the people.
Argument: Implementing a form of recall to Canadian democracy would decreased the democratic deficit by providing citizens a means to remove rogue politicians, increasing faith in the entire system.
Argument: Implementing a form of recall to Canadian democracy would decreased the democratic deficit by providing citizens a means to remove rogue politicians, increasing faith in the entire system.
Enrichment Activity: Lecture 4.2: Recall
Enrichment Activity: Lecture 4.2: Recall
3. Recall and Direct Democracy reading.docxArgument: Canada needs to join the other 80% of the world and adopt a form of proportional representation (PR) to better meet the will of the people.
Argument: Canada needs to join the other 80% of the world and adopt a form of proportional representation (PR) to better meet the will of the people.
Enrichment Activity: Assignment 4.6: Types of PR
Enrichment Activity: Assignment 4.6: Types of PR
PR Voting Systems.docx
Argument: Interests groups, the media and bureaucracy can pose a threat to the will of the people OR Although interests groups, the media and bureaucracy can pose a threat to the will of the people, the expertise and information provided is invaluable to Canadian democracy.
Argument: Interests groups, the media and bureaucracy can pose a threat to the will of the people OR Although interests groups, the media and bureaucracy can pose a threat to the will of the people, the expertise and information provided is invaluable to Canadian democracy.
Enrichment Activity: Argument:
Enrichment Activity: Argument:
Argument: The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms has given too much power to the unelected judiciary branch, decreasing the power and voice of members of Parliament and the people.
Argument: The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms has given too much power to the unelected judiciary branch, decreasing the power and voice of members of Parliament and the people.
judiciary too much power (1) (1).docxEnrichment Activity: Argument: The power of the purse must be reclaimed by Parliament in order to better meet the will of the people.
Enrichment Activity: Argument: The power of the purse must be reclaimed by Parliament in order to better meet the will of the people.
power of the purse (1).docxArgument: Canada is no longer a democracy; it has devolved into a plutocracy.
Argument: Canada is no longer a democracy; it has devolved into a plutocracy.
Argument: Implementing compulsory voting Canada would be illiberal and contrary to liberal values and beliefs OR Implementing compulsory voting Canada would be better meet the will of the people and engage more and more citizens in Canadian governance.
Argument: Implementing compulsory voting Canada would be illiberal and contrary to liberal values and beliefs OR Implementing compulsory voting Canada would be better meet the will of the people and engage more and more citizens in Canadian governance.
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