Euro News: 'Canadians Brace Themselves For Political Uncertainty'

Source:Euro News- the leader of the Social Democrats in Canada.

"Canadians have gone to the polls in a federal election but the outcome is proving far from easy to predict. The ruling Conservatives are expected to win the most seats but it's anyone's guess if they'll clinch a majority. Prime Minister Stephen Harper has warned his fellow countrymen against casting protest votes for a previously small opposition party, the left-leaning New Democrats." 

From Euro News

This might sound strange coming from an outsider to Canada, but when I saw that the Conservative Government lose a no-confidence vote in the House of Commons on Friday, it signaled to me that Canada is starting to become like Italy in a way, changing government's every few years. Because none of the major parties in Canada have enough support or the full trust of the Canadian people to stay in power and at least finish their full term. 

This is an indicator to me anyway as an American outsider, that it's time for electoral reform in Canada. And at least set up a system where when one party wins the General Election and becomes the ruling party, that they at least get to finish their term. Whether thats four years or five years. 

And then have mid term elections similar to America, where the Canadian House and Senate run for reelection. So if the Canadian people doesn't like the government halfway through, they would be able to respond by electing Members of Parliament from the other parties to make the Prime Minister weaker and send them the message that they don't like what they're doing and you need to change course. Or you could very well be out of power in the next election. 

This would allow the Prime Minister to take bold leadership and actually lead the country. And not have to worry about facing a no-confidence vote every time they make a tough decision. And if voters don't like what the Prime Minister is doing, they can take it out on the ruling party in the mid term elections as well in the next General Election. 

Also, even though the Canadian Parliament is technically a bicameral Legislature like the United States Congress the Canadian Senate even though it's technically the upper chamber, has almost no real authority if any. Unlike the U.S. Senate which is the upper chamber in Congress, by title and in practice. The House of Commons has most of the power in Parliament. The Canadian Senate is very similar to the United Kingdoms House of Lords, in structure and in practice with appointed Senators and not much if any authority. 

So I would make the Senate democratic with all the senators up for reelection. And make the Leader of the Senate and at large member and the Leader of the majority party. With the Minority Leader the Leader of the Minority Party also an at large member. The Senate representing the Canadian Provinces and territories equally. Similar to the U.S. Senate and the real upper chamber in Parliament. 

If you're going to have a Senate in a democracy, then it should have real authority and be accountable to the people. Looks like Canada will have another General Election in May, for like the fourth time in like six years. Hopefully the Canadian people will vote for a party they like and trust. Rather than vote for the lesser of the evils.