It’s a Wonder We Have Any Candidates
Last Friday, protesters shouting obscenities forced the cancellation of a campaign event of Prime Minister Trudeau in Bolton, Ontario over security concerns. His Sunday campaign stop in Cambridge featured protesters with signs showing the PM and a noose and suggesting that he is the son of Fidel Castro. The Trumpian fringe would be so proud! A recent analysis by the Samara Centre for Democracy (SAMbot report: August 15–22, 2021 - SAMbot) found that 27% of tweets sent to candidates in the current federal election were either toxic or extremely toxic – with the latter being not only hostile and rude but also profane and threatening. Women candidates were five times as likely to receive these toxic tweets. Instead of bemoaning what many feel is a lack of quality candidates, we should perhaps be grateful that we have candidates at all. Who would want such a thankless job?
Those who constantly attack our politicians seem to forget that they are all we have in a democracy. What is the alternative; will the civil servants just carry on running the country in the absence of any politicians who represent the Canadian people and are accountable to them? Not very likely since another characteristic of too many of today’s citizens is a distrust of “experts.” In any event, any such arrangement would be completely undemocratic and open to potential abuse. Even less acceptable is the notion of decisions based on the views of those who are the most vociferous, a sort of governing by anarchy.
We All Must Do Our Part
If we are to have a functioning democratic system at our various levels of government in Canada, front and center must be those elected by us to make decisions on our behalf. If you are not happy with the existing situation then do your part to improve things. Take the time to inform yourself about the issues of the day by consulting a variety of news sources, contemplating the diverse views presented, and considering what makes the most sense. Be an informed participant in our democracy. That includes gaining at least a basic understanding of the division of powers under the Canadian constitution (something to be addressed in a future blog). This knowledge will keep you from attacking governments for inaction when the issue in question is beyond their jurisdiction – as is often done by opposition parties and ill-informed media commentators. Doing anything less is an abdication of your civic responsibilities.