Top 5 Canadian Democracy Myths

I don't know if it's too many years of the West Wing airing in Canada or people just plain forgetting grade 10 civics, but after watching last night's debate, it seems to me that we need a refresher course on how democracy works in Canada.

Here are my Top 5 Myths about Canadian Democracy:

1. We elect our prime minister. 
False. In spite of what he says, the only people who elected Stephen Harper are the good people in Calgary—Southwest. Harper is merely the leader of the Conservative Party which currently has the most seats in the house of commons. Under the parliamentary system, that means he gets first crack at being Prime Minister, nothing more.  No one ever put an "X" next to his name to make him prime minister.

2. We elect a government. 
False (at least in the way it was used in the debate last night). We elect individual people in ridings who choose to work together in a party. Harper's assertions that Canadians "elected a Conservative government" were patently wrong. We just ended up with more Conservatives than anyone else in 2008. That is not equivalent to casting a vote to make the Conservatives an absolute government.

3. Coalitions are not democracy
False. We're used to power trading hands between the Liberals and Conservatives in this country and that's fine, but the only reason we're used to it is because for most of our history, we've only had two parties. It's only been since 1945 that we have a true third party alternative in the CCF. In other countries, multiple parties are the norm and no one is questioning their democracy.

4.  Minority parliaments don't work
False. They work all the time. We have had 13 of them. In fact, minority parliaments brought Canada some of the things we hold most dear, like health care. But, they only work when parties choose to work together.

5. Elections are a waste of time and money
False. Discussion is always good. Talking about issues is good for our country. Yes, they cost $300 million, but it's not like we take that money and flush it down the toilet. Money spent in elections does go back into the economy. People are paid to work on elections, printing houses are paid to make materials and property owners make money renting out their spaces for election activities.

So, when you go to the polls on May 2, and I know you will, keep these thoughts in mind when you fill in your ballot. Our parliamentary system is counting on it!