When our Parliamentary is being attacked by prime minister stephen harper, it is our duty as Canadians to defend our Parliamentary Democracy.
Steps:
1) Pay attention to news.
2) Get involved.
3) And go to vote at election time.
4) Have a read of Justin Trudeau’s “Find Some Principles“.
5) And for today, read and follow Kady’s liveblog of this roundtable in Ottawa with special guest professors Daniel Weinstock (read this open letter now signed by 200+ professors) and Peter Russell, as well as Canadians Against Prororuging Parliament Facebook group founder Christopher White (see Chris’ draft version of his prepared text here).
Here is an excerpt from Kady’s liveblog, please read her coverage in full and not simply the excerpt here.
*** 10:32 ***
“Over to Christopher White, who starts out by noting that it’s a little odd to be sitting up there alongside constitutional experts with more than a century of public service; a guy who started a Facebook group. Which prompts gentle laughter from the audience, of course; White does, however, express some contentment that his efforts have highlighted the role of new media. He then goes through some of the big issues that keep being raised on the discussion group — voter turnout, in particular — as well as the need for electoral reform. There’s a disconnect, he notes — and to bridge the gap, we need a citizen assembly – like those that took place in BC and Ontario – rather than simply leaving it to people organizing in libraries. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. He also confesses that, despite obediently watching Heritage minutes and perusing online resources, he’s still a little bit fuzzy on exactly how this place works. He suggests some sort of independently-managed, scrupulopusly nonpartisan website that would explain the basics of parliamentary democracy to everyone, rather than forcing people to sift through the “byzantine” (good word, and appropriate too) government website. Oh, come over here and let me tell you about the outrageous continuing absence of online Hansard back to Confederation.”
*** 10:37 ***
“White is going through his list of suggestions — from supporting smaller parties and independent candidates to reducing the number of cabinet ministers to being *just* supportive of someone like him speaking out against Michael Ignatieff, if (when) he merits it. He also has some words for us — we-the-media, that is — and implores us to be clear when we find ourselves obstructed by PMO and the government. (See? Apparently *someone* does want to hear us kvetch!) He ends with a cheery declaration of his love for Canada, and gets an equally cheery round of applause in response. Jennings assures him that just because he’s here doesn’t mean he can’t criticize the Liberals — including past, present and future leaders — and insists that they actually *welcome* dissent. Just ask the media who cover their endless caucus disputes.”
Filed under: Canada, Democracy, digital democracy, ideasRevolution, insightful, Law, politics 
