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Governance in Canada
By
Bob Orrick
Quickly, who is the most outstanding politician in Canada? Which government - federal, provincial, civic - comes immediately to mind as having performed in the best interests of ALL of its constituents?
The pause in responding is telling.
At the moment, one cannot think of an outstanding politician from any level of government in this country. Granted, there are some who have performed well and who have had some successes; but in each case, none has fuelled the fires of ALL constituents. I suppose Alberta's Klein would top any list of accomplished political leaders with Ontario's former premier Harris a close second.
All the country - nay, the world - knows that the Canadian prime minister is an embarrassment to Canada. Our embarrassment goes a long way to underlining the idea that politicians legally ought not to be permitted to serve more than two consecutive terms. Tired and worn out politicians serve no one and tend to do irreparable harm to their constituents. One of the strengths of any successful team - sports, business, government - is the constant inflow of new, fresh bodies with new, fresh ideas. With a two-term limit, the need for new people with updated ideas is met while allowing a certain and necessary level of continuity to ensure that the team, business or government does not falter. When an entity is staffed with old, worn out, tired people, the verve goes out of it and the entity lags and eventually becomes a bottom dweller. Canada, at the present, is fast becoming a 'bottom dweller.'
The foreign policy ideology that issues from Ottawa is years out of date and in some instances harkens back to the mid-60s. The anti-Americanism of Ottawa is a prime example of the mid-60s and Trudeau. Ottawa's love affair with the UN is a bit shop-worn now in these days when the UN is fast becoming a hotbed of anti-Americanism and a love-nest for socialism. Long gone are the days when the UN was relevant and represented the best of the world community. Today, it is looking more and more like the disgraced and discarded League of Nations that fell apart when Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy and expansionist Japan thumbed their noses at the organisation. Is Iraq today's Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy or expansionist Japan?
Is Canada well governed? No, not by a long shot. The domestic and foreign policies seem to be based more on socialist dogma and less on sensible, reasoned, manageable policies. Weekly it seems, Canadians learn of yet another faux pas on the part of a government politician or bureaucrat or toady. "Foot in mouth" disease seems to be well established next to the Rideau Canal. Perhaps, it was ever thus.
Are the provinces and territories well governed? Some are better managed than others are; from comments and reports, it appears there is room for improvement.
Are Canada's major cities well governed? Based on media reports and letters-to-the-editor, there is plenty of room for improvement in several centres.
Who, among the many politicians in Canada, would you go the extra mile for? Who, among the many politicians in Canada, would you put forward for an award that recognises determination, grit, humour, insight, resourcefullness, political savvy, compassion, resolve, level-headedness, and above all, understanding?
Canadians must demand more of their politicians and must hold their feet to the fire; for too long, Canadians have been far too compliant. We condemn our American cousins for their actions when they 'challenge' their governments - the local initiatives are examples - yet we sit back and take the crap that our governments, particularly the federal government, dish out to us daily. We should take a page from the Americans and stand up to our politicians; they, after all, work for us although many of them think it is the other way round.
Bob Orrick is a private tutor of English grammar, literature, poetry and Canadian history to off-shore youngsters. His pupils hail from such places as Taiwan, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Korea and Venezuela. He was previously in international marketing, was a ministerial assistant to a provincial cabinet minister, spent a few years as a reporter then editor of a community newspaper and enjoyed a career in the Royal Canadian Navy.
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