6 Comments
User's avatar
John's avatar

I believe in decentralization.

We have gone the exact opposite direction.

The PMO should consist of a appointment secretary and a protocol officer.

Decision making needs to local, not in Ottawa. Ottawa needs to be about high level policy. Implementation should be local

Expand full comment
Sandy's avatar

I found this interview so succinct and re-enforcing, as was mentioned, to past observations I have continuously heard about there no longer being democracy in Canada. But what I need to hear now is what steps, other than just talking about it, can we as individuals be taking, to start the process of changing how our political system is set up? Where does one even start?

Expand full comment
PJ Alexander's avatar

It boggles my mind that enough Canadians seem to be complacent about all the non-democratic practices Andrew Coyne outlines in his book and various interviews. To prorogue parliament in the middle of a crisis seemed to me the ultimate in contempt for the citizens who voted for the MPs, unless we are actually assuming that nothing gets done in parliament (so proroguing doesn't matter) and it is all about the PMs office. In which case, yikes.

Expand full comment
forceOfHabit's avatar

Brilliant interview! And AC's exposition of the flaws of our current political ecosystem are excellent. As is his final observation that a more functional, more representative democracy is not just nice to have but essential for a better, more fair society. I'll recommend his book (and this interview) to all my freinds..

Expand full comment
Mark Blair Grant Patrick's avatar

And congrats on a new season Tara!

Expand full comment
Mark Blair Grant Patrick's avatar

As much I want to read Andrew’s book I am apprehensive because I think it would be the most horrifying Canadian novel ever published. And would keep me up at night with shock, terror and anxiety over the state of Canadian democracy.

Expand full comment