I recently spent August 8-11th in Guelph Ontario working on Mike Nagy’s bi-election campaign. The Guelph campaign is one of three federal bi-elections currently underway in Canada.
"What", you may ask, "is the deputy leader of the provincial Green Party doing in Guelph working on a federal campaign"? Well, besides having the opportunity to spend time with great friends in one of Ontario’s more interesting cities, simply put, I’m helping kick down the door.
You see, this bi-election is not just any bi-election. In fact it’s difficult to overestimate the importance of a win by Mike Nagy and it’s significance for Canada and Ontario. A win in Guelph will significantly change the political landscape and the course of history in Canada.
Now, in case at this point you think that I’ve lost my mind and become sucked into some black hole of inwardly focused delusional thinking, consider these 3 facts:
1. A win in Guelph would guarantee Federal Green Party leader Elizabeth May, a spot in the televised leaders debates in the next general election.
Aside from finally making the debate tolerable to watch, Ms. May's presence would have a profound effect on the outcome of the federal election. If in doubt, think back to late 1980’s when Deborah Grey won a bi-election seat for the Reform party. Then leader Preston Manning, was invited to the leaders’ debate and presto!...52 seats in parliament.
Now, compare the dynamism and vision of Mr. Manning with that of Elizabeth May…hmmm. If you’ve ever heard Elizabeth May speak publicly, you know what I mean. Pardon the boxing metaphor, but after the other four leaders go three rounds with Ms. May there won’t be any need for a ten count. Whilst the others yammer away at each other in usual fashion, Ms. May will be articulating an ambitious and sensible vision for the future of Canada.
2. A win in Guelph will legitimize the Green Party for the masses of fence sitters, naysayers, disillusioned types, and bandwagoners.
This will unleash a wave of green support and electoral success across the country at both the federal and provincial levels. Let’s face it, most voters (and non-voters) follow the wave rather than lead it. This is not a bad thing in itself. Agitated political junkies like me are not the norm in society and most folks just don’t consider Canadian politics the most engaging use of spare time. This is of course the main reason that some traditional parties like the electoral system just the way it is. The momentum required to break into the system is immense. It does however keep the extreme views from infiltrating the system…wait, scratch that. I just remembered who’s in power.
3. A win in Guelph will give Mike Nagy and the Green Party the platform needed to begin a shift in the direction and the quality of the political debate in Canada.
Everything from access to the press & office space, to Mr. Nagy’s much needed voice in parliament, means that Canadians will hear with much more frequency, the inspired and pragmatic ideas and policies of green minded Canadians. Mike Nagy is a capable and dynamic citizen who will bring a fresh viewpoint and some much needed respectability to parliament. This is good for Canada, regardless of your political colours.
So, I’ll be back in Guelph next weekend and likely the one after that, taking a metaphorical battering ram to the doors of the Canadian political system. I invite you to do the same. Time is running short to address the economic, social, and environmental crises that we are facing. If the traditional parties were going to do anything proactive about these challenges, they would have by now.
It’s time to smash the doors of our exclusive political system to splinters. You only get to keep a piece if you show up.
Comments
Ahhh, Federal Politics, what
Ahhh, Federal Politics, what a convoluted and deceptive web is being wove in Ottawa by the current government right now! My daily cruise of various news and blog sites each morning reveals that there is little coming out of the major partys that one can really believe, but the spin from the Harper regime is simply out of this world (I would say unbelievable, but unfortunately there are far too many folk who DO believe it). I have become so outraged by the daily attacks upon our hard won and established democratic systems that I have difficulty remaining calm and reasoned, so please forgive me if I stray off subject a little.
But I digress, Shane said - “this bi-election is not just any bi-election. In fact it’s difficult to overestimate the importance of a win by Mike Nagy and it’s significance for Canada and Ontario. A win in Guelph will significantly change the political landscape and the course of history in Canada.”
Shane is right that this is a turning point in our country, unless we stand up for those who speak out against the abuse of the democratic systems that keep the checks and balances in place we are doomed to live in an oligarchy, perhaps eventually a dictatorship. I doubt that any of the candidates have to field many questions regarding the day to day operation of our parliamentary system but it is the protection of this system that each and every candidate, indeed every Canadian, MUST subscribe to. Sure there are changes needed, many changes, but unless those changes are decided democratically then the outcome is NOT a democracy. Spending public money to blitz the country with partisan flyers denigrating the parliamentary opposition and the senate is not democratic. Calling parliament “dysfunctional” after distributing a manual to committee chairs on how to disrupt committee deliberations that are not going your way, is not democratic. Refusing to appear before a duly formed parliamentary committee is not democratic. I could go on but you get the picture, whether or not the legislation this government brings forward is good or bad is open to individual opinion but the manner in which they go about the business of running the country and interacting with those not of their own inner circle is clearly undemocratic and unacceptable.
Whether or not the newly elected MP will get a chance to serve in the House of Commons before Harper engineers his own defeat remains to be seen but if we can get Ms May included in the leaders debates it will indeed go a long way towards increasing the chance of a more open and inclusive parliament.
All this is my way of saying I really hope that the good citizens of Guelph do elect the first Green to the House of Commons, for it is clear that the current lot is not fit to govern and that the opposition partys of all stripes have done little to stop the parliamentary abuse (although we must recognize that some have tried). In short we need fresh blood in the House, we need folks willing to stand up against the abuse of our systems and planet, we need folks closer to the people than to the multinational corporate lobbyists. We need to vote ABC (anyone but conservative) and in my view the Greens may well be a better choice than any of the alternatives. Good luck Mike, help us open new doors to an inclusive democracy.
As a friend recently said,
As a friend recently said, "How can a Prime Minister claim that Parliament is dysfunctional when EVERY PIECE of legislation he introduces is ultimately passed through the House?".
The recent obfuscation and blame shifting by Mr. Harper over the timing of the general election is shameful. The very government that created the fixed election date law is now prepared to pull the plug early. It is likely that the opposition parties will force an election soon anyway, but that's how the system is supposed to work. So why is Stephen Harper threatening to pull the plug early? There are many reasons, but one of the most significant is that the Conservatives are currently losing three by-elections, and one may well go Green. This of course would mean that Mr. Harper would have to face Ms. May in a debate. Needless to say he'd be toast...well done and burnt at the edges.
A colleague of mine wrote our Governor General last night to ask that she respect the democratic process in Canada and force Mr. Harper to keep his word by refusing to allow him to disolve parliament. I suggest more of us do the same.
Many people in Ontario and Quebec have already voted in one of three by-elections. To disregard their votes at this point is a slap in the face to democracy.
Hey! Don't start talking
Hey! Don't start talking about changing the system now! I have just begun my climb to what I hope to be dizzying heights of patronage, politicital corruption and the accumulation of my personal wealth on the public teet. Boo Ha Ha all this change.
Sincerly yours, in public service.
Unfortuanatly what I hear often Rural is that the individual feels so removed that apathy appears the course of many....it is a path easily trodden....myself included...