Election Time in Canada

Canada is heading to a fourth national election in 7 years.  Most people of all political stripes are suffering from election fatigue.  The last three elections produced minority governments.  This should not be surprising in a country where a party committed to the breakup of the country routinely wins around 50 seats in a 308 seat Parliament.  Of course a party with a separatist agenda cannot be part of a coalition seeking to govern a united country so the remaining parties are faced with the daunting task of winning approximately 60% of the seats in order to have a majority of 50% in the House of Commons.

While many people understandably feel that an election that results in roughly the same balance of power as currently exists is a waste of time, they are wrong to say that this election is an unnecessary one.  We have seen the Conservative Government under Stephen Harper effectively govern as a majority for the past two years as one of the opposition parties inevitably failed to show up for confidence votes in order to avoid going to the polls.

This is not healthy for democracy.  The truth of the matter is that the voters gave Stephen Harper a minority government.  When members of Parliament, who have been tasked by their voters to oppose the Harper government, decide to sit out a debate for fear of triggering an election, they dishonour the voters who elected them.  This is not to say that a party in opposition should not work with the governing party if they can get part of their platform enacted.  However if that is the case, then the only honourable thing to do is to show up in the House of Commons and vote in support of the Government.  This nonsense where the leader of an opposition party shows up to vote against the governing party while most of his caucus is absent to ensure that an election is not triggered is sheer stupidity.  It is this type of shenanigan that turns many people off from the political process.

Now onto my prediction for this election.  I am going to predict a Conservative majority that shows how unhealthy our democracy is.

We saw Jean Chretien win three consecutive majority governments with support  that ranged a few points on either side of 40%.  He had the advantage of a splintered right wing that couldn't get their act together.  Neither the Progressive Conservatives under Jean Charest/Peter McKay nor the Reform/Alliance crowd under Preston Manning/Stockwell Day were in any position to govern.  In effect, he won by default.

This election will be a Conservative victory by default.   The Liberal party of Canada is led by Michael Ignatieff who has been subjected to some devastating attack ads by the Tories pointing to his 30 year absence from Canada.  The ads make the point that "He didn't come back for you."

These ads are devastating because they are so very true.  It is well known that Ignatieff chose to live, virtually his entire adult life, outside of Canada.  Strictly speaking, having some experience living in another country is not a disqualifier.....in fact it is generally a plus.  Living in another country for a time gives one a broader view of the world and might enhance one's ability to think outside the box.  I've lived outside Canada for part of my adult life and am so very glad that I had that experience.

However there is a point at which it is not a plus.  There is a point where one has chosen not to be Canadian and has decided that life is better elsewhere.  There is a point where one can no longer effectively relate to fellow Canadians.  I don't know exactly where that point is (it may be different for different individuals) but I can't escape the feeling that Michael Ignatieff crossed that point a long time ago.

It is not disputed that Michael Ignatieff has lived virtually his entire adult life outside of Canada.  It is well known that he came back to Canada after Liberal emmissaries visited Harvard and dangled the prospect of succeeding Paul Martin to become Prime Minister.  He did in fact run (unsuccessfully) to succeed Paul Martin at the first available opportunity.

It is also well known that his writings include articles where he wrote of "When we invaded Iraq...."  Canada did not invade Iraq.  Just who exactly was he referring to??

I am Conservative in my political leanings but this is not an ideological argument against Ignatieff.  In fact, as Liberals go his ideology is much more to my liking than most. (Bob Rae? gag!!!!)

To put it in simple terms, he may have a Canadian passport but he is not Canadian.  How can he relate to people that he has chosen to live apart from for as long as he could make his own decisions?

Ignatieff is not qualified to be Prime Minister and as such the Tories will win by default.  This is very unfortunate for democracy in Canada.

To put any personal conflict of interest to rest, I will not be returning to Korea to run for President.  I am proud of my roots but I am Canadian.  That is a choice that I have made.