Canada’s Debate

I’ve been neglecting Canadian politics for the past little while, so I think it’s time for me to review a couple of ’stories’ I’ve been following.

In theory politicians are elected to represent the people, yes? Apparently not in Canada. I’m kind of parroting an editorial I read in the Toronto Star, but seriously, do we need to send a reminder to everyone Parliament Hill what they’re in business for?

Over the summer, politicians from all four federal parties went home to meet their constituents. And everywhere they went, the politicians heard little, if any, talk by voters about the need for a quick election.

Yet, from the moment Members of Parliament returned to the House of Commons last Monday, Ottawa has been flooded with speculation about the possibility of an election before Christmas. Rumours are being fuelled by party leaders and strategists, who suggest they are prepared to bring down the government at any time. For example, Conservative House Leader Jay Hill told reporters recently: “I’ve said all along that this Parliament is day-by-day, at times almost minute-by-minute.”

I can’t speak for other Canadians (although I do anyways); but I’m getting pretty fucking tired of told that an election is absolutely necessary, for no other reason than the opposition might barely have enough influence to generate one. I hate to sound prosaic, but “just because we can do a thing, it does not necessarily mean we must do that thing.” (Anyone guess where I got that?) Then again, I expect nothing less than the best cheap politicking and motivated self-interest from the current crop of federal electees.

Hockey started again this week, as some of us may have heard. I’m excited, so much so that I feel kind of bad. What I can’t understand though is the unparalleled futility of everyone involved in the beautiful game (by my eyes) in getting shit done. The owners call a lockout because they can’t run their own businesses, the players hold out just long enough to get completely screwed by their leadership. Then sure enough the league promotes this supposed renaissance by creating a bunch of ads that appeal to the lowest common denominator “men tough, woman soft” crowd, and completely ignoring the talent that people actually pay money to watch. When a bunch of people brawl, and everyone comes out with a blackeye, you have to wonder what exactly everyone was fighting for.

‘Black eye’ photograph taken from the Toronto Star and Rick Madonick