VOL.55,No.10
HEAD OFFICE:MONTREAL,OCTOBER1974
A Parliamentary
Democracy
thatprovides
the minority
IS THE VASTEST of allhumanenterprises, the stateby a majority
withthepossibility
of becoming
a majority
by the
andit needstobeconstantly
examined
toseethatitis
education
ofcitizens
to itspointofview.
functioning
well.It is theorganization
through
which
thestatemanifests
itswill,issues
itscommands,
and
In Canada’s
parliamentary
democracy
everycitizen
conducts
itsaffairs.
Thestateis giventhatpowerby
isfaced
bya sovereign
responsibility
: thatofdirecting
thewillof thepeopleof Canada,
expressed
through
hisownfate.Through
theirselected
government,
men
thevoteofa free,
unfettered,
secret
ballot.
andwomenfindit possible
to establish
themselves
in
mutually
fulfilling
relationship
totheir
fellow
citizens,
Peoplevotefor thesamereasonsas theyformor
andthatis thecentral
function
of happyhumanlife.
joinor support
groupsthatareseeking
to bringabout
socialor community
improvement:
theywishto have
a handin promoting
welfare;theywantto be part
The town meeting
oflife.
The only way in whicha personcan make some
Whena votertouches
pencil
to paperin casting
his
approach
to knowing
thewholeof a subject
affecting
ballot
heis reminded
thatheisnotliving
alone.
Heis
himis by hearing
whatcanbe saidaboutit by people
one of thewholecommunity,
sharingat thismoment
of everyvariety
of opinion.
Sinceearliest
times,
men
in choosing
thepersons
whoshallcarryouthiswishes and womenhavebeentryingto createa systemthat
in thegovernment
of thenation.
willgivethemthisopportunity
to learnaboutthings.
Twenty-five
yearsago,whenCanadawasembarking
In Greeceof thesixthto thefourthcentury
B.C.
on the crucialpost-war
years,thisbanksentout
every
citizen
had
the
right
to
attend
and
speak
and
slipstoreaders
of itsMonthly
Letter.
Theyread:
votein the assembly.
Sincethen,therehavebeen
"Thisis a yearwhenCanadians
exercise
oneof the
manyplansdevised
to preserve
theidealof government
greatest
privileges
o/"Democracytherighttovote.
by
citizens
who
meet
face
to
faceto discusstheir
Themenwechoose
willbe ourconstitutional
leaders
problems.
It is difficult
indeedto adapta formof
indomestic
andforeign
affairs.
Greatresponsibilitygovernment
thatwasdeveloped
in simple,intimate,
willrestuponthem.
Buttheir
responsibility
isfirst
of
community
life
to
an
era
of
great
nation
states,
large
allour responsibilio’,
becausewe choosethem.
and
centralized
organization,
and
highly
specialized
Democracy
is a Jbrmof government
for J?eeand
knowledge.
upright
people
whotakeprideingoverning
themselves,
The town meetingwas such an effort.It was a
andwhodo govern
themseh,
es."
general
meeting
of theinhabitants
of a townin which
Democracy
is definedas a systemof government theywereableto maketheirvoicesheard.Theywere
in whichthesupreme
poweris vested
inthepeople
and
recognized
as persons,
andnotas faceless
cogsin a
exercised
by themor by theirelected
agentsundera
machine.
Suchpuredemocracy,
person-to-person
disfreeelectoral
system.Theessenceof democracy
is
cussion
anddecision,
wouldbe impossible
in a nation,
thatconsent
isfreeafterfreedebate.
province,
or city,hencerepresentative
democracy
has
The principlethat what concernsall must be
developed.
approved
by allis impossible
of attainment,
because,
It isnotby chance,
butby enlightened
development,
humannaturebeingas it is,therewillalwaysbe a
thatgovernment
in Canadaprovides
whatpeopleall
dissenting
minority.
overtheworlddesire:
a liberal
environment;
a fluid
society
freefromclassbarriers;
opportunity
to choose
Freedomof thought,
freedom
of speech,
freedomof
and to progress
in profession
or tradeaccording
to
assemblage
andsecretchoiceof representatives
are
ability
andenergy;
liberty
tostandup
allpartof the fabricof democracy.
Parliamentary one’sambition,
and speakoutforthingsin whichonebelieves;
and
democratic
government
is direction
of theaffairs
of
GOVERNMENT
the power to choosethose who are to have the
authority
to maintain
thesefreedoms.
Canadians
haveconfidence
thattheiraspirations
can be met withinthissystem.Manyothernations
havedemocratic
constitutions
thatareas perfect
as
Canada’s,
but Canadahas addedan ingredient:
she
has givena valuabledemonstration
thattolerance
mustbe an intrinsic
partof anyrealdemocracy.
Obviously,
the government
cannotbe lookedupon
as an institution
thatactsin a SantaClausway,
handingoutgoodies.
Beforea government
canbecome
kindit mustbe right.Rightness
is thevirtueevery
citizen
requires
aboveallothergovernment
virtues.
The word"politics"
hasbecometarnished
by confusing
itwithpartypolitical
feuds.
Politics
is nota
thingapartfromcivilization,
buta manifestation
of
civilization
ingrowth.
It changes
formandfunction
in
accordwithchanges
in thecomposition
andidealsof
society.
As longas we livein a changing
worldaboutwhich
ourknowledge
is incomplete,
we mustbe prepared
to
listento otherpeople’s
opinions
aboutgovernment
and government
measures.
Political
partieskeepus
reminded
thatthereareat leasttwofairly
meritorious
sidesto everymajorpolitical
question
on whichmen
disagree.
Kinds of government
Underthe federalsystemof government
in Canada
thereare:(1) a nationalgovernmentto control
mattersof concernto the wholecountry,and (2)
provincial
governments
to control
matters
of concern
to theindividual
provinces.
Bothsortsof government
workopenly,
in thebroaddaylight
of public
scrutiny.
Diversity
in unity,not legislated
conformity,
constitutes
thestrength
of Canadian
politics,
butit
tries,by persuasion
andthe application
of common
sense,
to extend
people’s
co-operative
capacities.
Oursis representative
government,
consisting
in the
people’s
powerto selectand replacetheexecutive
charged
withthetaskof administering
thecountry’s
business.
Instead
of a townmeetingwe havegovernment by electedrepresentatives.
Thatgovernment
represents
theelectors
by makingdecisions
in their
behalf.
Representation
by selection
is a verygreatthing.
The membersof parliament
forma deliberative
assemblywithoneinterest:
thatof thewholenation.
Its membersceaseto be parochial.Theyowe the
nationtheirbroad-gauge
unbiasedopinions,
their
maturejudgment,
andtheirenlightened
consciences.
Theymayreceive
theadviceof theirconstituents,
buttheyarenotobliged
to follow
thatadvice
ifthey
believe
itto beinconsistent
withthegeneral
interests
of theircountry.
As peopleof conscience
theyhave
fullfreedomto actas theirjudgment
promptsthem
toact.
Besides
beingrepresentative,
Canada’s
government
is alsoresponsible
government.
Peopleplacedin
powerby the electorsare accountable
for their
behaviour.
Theexecutive
officials
(thecabinet)
must
securemajority
supportfortheirproposals
in the
elected
house,the Houseof Commons,
or resignfrom
office.
Modernsocietywillnot work withoutdirecting
handsand technical
expertsin chargeof its complicatedmachinery,but they must remainunder
control
by therepresentatives
elected
by thepeople.
Inspite
ofallthedifficulties
attending
their
working,
parliamentary
assemblies
arethebestformof governmentmankindhas yet discovered.
Parliament
is not
designed
to dominate
citizens
but to promotetheir
development
so thateverypersonmayliveandactin
freedom
fromfearandwiththeopportunity
to pursue
whathebelieves
to bethegoodlife.
Parliament
is notthetilting
ground
of factions
or
a forumfortherecital
of wrongsinflicted
andsustainedby variousgroups,but a placewhererepresentatives
of thepeoplecantalkoverthenation’s
problems.
Thuspeoplefromeverypartof thecountry
havea voiceindeciding
policies.
Dutiesof parliament
Canadais a countryof greateconomic,
geographic
andethnic
diversity.
Itneedstiestodrawittogether
andto reconcile
itsdifferences.
Themostimportant
oftheseistheParliament
ofCanada,
consisting
of the
Senateand the Houseof Commons.
TheHouseof Commonsis theelective
lowerhouse
whosebusiness
it isto arrive
at agreement
on thebest
measures
forthegoodof thecountry.
Thiscanbedone
onlythrough
theopposition
of forces,
bringing
out
allrelevant
points
inanissue.
SirJohnG. Bourinot,
historian
andauthority
on
parliamentary
government,
and authorof Parliamentary Procedureand Governmentin Canada,put
parliamentary
duties
in thisway:"Theprinciples
that
lieat the basisof Englishparliamentary
law have
beenalwayskeptsteadilyin viewby the Canadian
Parliament:
theseare--toprotecta minorityand
restrain
theimprovidence
or tyranny
of a majority;
to securethetransaction
of publicbusiness
in an
orderly
manner;
to enable
everymember
to express
his
opinionwithinthe limitsnecessaryto preserve
decorumand preventan unnecessary
wasteof time;
andto prevent
anylegislative
actionbeingtakenon
suddenimpulse."
The Houseof Commonsis the workingplaceof the
menand womenwho havebeenelectedby citizens
to
makedecisions
guiding
theconductof the country’s
affairs.
It canbethesceneofgreatdecisions
greatly
madeor thearenain whichsmallmatters
arebloated
intotime-wasting
talk.
Thereis constant
effortbeingmadeby thosememberswho thinkconstructively
abouttheirroleto
increase
theefficiency
of theHouse.Morehasto be
donethanthinkup ideasandpresent
themin speeches.
Thelegislators
mustseethatthings
areaccomplished.
Rational
democratic
government
requires
intelli- of the Houseof Commons.
The oneexception
is that
gentdiscussion,
a sustained,
disciplined
consideration billsto imposetaxesor to appropriate
publicmoney
of circumstances,
of proposals
andtheirimplications, mustoriginate
in thelowerhouse.
of possible
courses
of action
andtheiradvantages
and
TheSenatewasneverintended
to be a competitor
disadvantages.
And throughit all theremust be
of theHouseof Commons
in thefieldof legislation,
maintainedthe honour and dignityof men and
buttheconcurrence
of theSenateis necessary
before
womenwho represent
the peopleof Canada.
anypieceoflegislation,
public
or private,
canbecome
law.
TheOpposition
The Senateprovidesa nationalforumfor the
discussion
ofpublic
issues
andtheairing
of grievances
Theonlystimulus
whichcankeeptheability
of the
fromanypartof Canada,andthroughitscommittees
government
of the timeup to highstandards
is its
it makesstudies
indepthofmatters
ofpublic
concern.
liability
to thewell-informed
criticism
of equal
ability
outside
itsranks.
JohnStuartMillwrotein histreatise
On RepresenNo rational
voterin a democracy
willchallenge
the
tativeGovernment:
"Theconsideration
whichtells
in favourof twochambers,
is
belief
thatthepeoplemustco-operate
whole-heartedlymost,in my judgment,
theevileffectproduced
uponthemindof anyholder
withtheirleaders,
butat thesametimetheyneedto
be careful
thatthepowersdelegated
to thoseleaders of power,whetheran individual
or an assembly,
by
arenotexceeded.
the consciousness
of havingonly themselvesto
It isa defining
characteristic
ofpolitical
democracy consult."
thatthereexists
a legally-constituted
organized
party
On beinga Member
orparties
inopposition
tothepartyinpower.
Thisis
partof themachinery
of democratic
self-control.
Thetasksof a Member
of Parliament
areto identify
In Canada,the Oppositionhas an independent theproblems
of Canadian
society,
to evolvepolicies
constitutional
base.In working
reality
it participates fromideas,
to decide
uponaction,
andto carrythrough
in government.
It forcesthe partyin powerto seek
the programme.
as broadand tolerable
a synthesis
of interests
as
WhatgivesParliament
itslifeis thewillof its
possible;
itensures
thattheminority
ofvoters
willbe
members
to serveit withtheirfullcapacities
of mind
represented
to somedegreein the policies
decided
andenergyandpassion.
upon;it restrains
thepartyin powerby examining
its
A few thinkthatuponwinningofficeAladdin’s
proposals
forlaws;it seeksto persuade
thegovernLamp
is partof thefurnishings
andthattheycanrub
menttointroduce
billswhich
it thinks
willbenefit
the
people;
itcriticizes,
butitshould
havevalid
andviable intoexistenceanythingthat theycan dreamup.
Instead,
theyfindthattheyhaveto sit downand
alternatives
tooffer.And,of course,
it stands
ready
diagnose
the
situation
withimaginative
insight,
do a
to replace
thepartyin powerif thatpartylosesthe
lot
of
research,
and
then
go
to
work.
Government
is
confidence
of theHouse.
an artto be learned,
likemedicine
or engineering
or
It isno smallhonour
andnolittle
responsibility
to
lawor anyotherprofession,
andnotmerelyan office
servein theOpposition.
A person
mightbe elected
to
to be won.
parliament
twoor threetimesandneverserveoutof
Political
service
meansa sacrifice
ofpersonal
conopposition,
andyetcontribute
as greatly
to thegood
venience
for
the
public
good.
One
who
has
vowed
and welfareof thecountryas if he had saton the
himself
topolitics
isnolonger
a freeagent:
he isnow
government
sideof theHouse.
a servant
of thepeople.
Whenhe wasin private
life,
Havingan Oppositionin the House of Commons
he wassubject
to critical
judgment
by hisneighbours;
lessens
theburden
resting
ontheshoulders
ofthevoter. nowthathe is a memberof parliament
he is subject
Eventhoughthe partyfor whichhe voteddoesnot
to evaluation
by everyvoterin thecountry.
winenoughseatsto formthe Government,
it sitsin
The Memberof Parliament
needsto keephimself
judgment
on theGovernment
andcaninfluence
events.
freefromobligations
andpressures
andto avoideven
Allthepolitical
wisdom
doesnotreside
in oneparty
the appearance
of evil.The rewardof independence
or another.
In LostHorizon
thesageChangremarked
:
wasavowedby Pliny,a prominent
lawyer,
administra"Our peoplewouldbe quiteshockedby havingto
tor and landowner:"How glad I am that I have
declarethatone policywas completely
rightand
always
keptclearofanycontracts,
presents,
remuneraanothercompletelywrong."Betweenthem, the
tions,
or evensmallgiftsformyconduct
ofcases."
Government
and the Opposition
hopeto choosethe
Political
machinery
doesnotactof itself.
It needs
better
parts
ofallproposals.
activeparticipation.
Napoleononce referredto
people
who"haveno bloodin theirveins,nothing
but
The UpperHouse
frozenpolitics."
No modernpolitician
can thrive
TheSenateof Canadaprovides
regional
representa- unless
he hasthementalstimulus
of contact
withthe
tionona non-elective
basis,
andisexpected
tobe high
needsof thecountry
andthedesires
of thepeople,
and
anddryabovetheebbandflowof partypolitics.
Its
the physicalurge to get on withthe businessof
powers,
inallrespects
except
one,areequaltothose
satisfying
theseneeds
anddesires.
Applygood politics
The simplevirtuesconstitute
goodpolitics
in a
parliamentary
democracy.
We admirethe conductof
thosemenandwomenin publiclifewhocourageously,
honestly
andintelligently
cometo conclusions
based
on reason,
andhavingcometo thoseconclusions,
can
statethemfairly,
stickby them,andactaccordingly.
Sincerity
is a vitalquality
in theperson
seeking
or
holding
public
office.
Itmeansbeingfreefromdeceit,
hypocrisy
orfalseness.
Whenengaging
in politics
we arein a large-scale
impersonalworldremovedfrom contactwith the
individuals
on whoseaffairsand interests
we are
forming
a judgment
andtaking
action.
Itis,therefore,
muchharderto bringour ordinary
moralattitudes,
suchas sympathy,
patience,
kindness
andscrupulous
justice,
intoplaythaninprivate
life.
Butitisessential
forthegoodmanor womanin publiclifeto makethe
effort.
Machiavelli,
in ThePrince,agreesthatkeeping
faithis praiseworthy,
butthatdeceit,
hypocrisy,
and
perjuryarenecessary
andexcusable
forthe sakeof
holdingon to political
power.Thisviewhas been
universally
condemned.
One duty the parliamentary
representative
undoubtedly
owesto his constituents
is to keepthem
informed
abouthis actionsand whatis goingon in
parliament.
Thoughthe electors
cannotbe informed
on everyissuethatconfronts
government,
theymustbe
sufficiently
informed
to understand
themaindriftof
the issuesand the whysand wherefores
of their
representative’s
actions.
Leaders
needto be sensitive
to whatis significant
andwhatis trivial
andto be prepared
to riseabove
sectional
andselfishinterests.
Theyneedto have
mindsattuned
to copingwitheventsandcrises.
They
shouldcultivate
thecapacity
Churchill
showedwhen
he unitedtheBritishpeopleand liftedthemabove
whatdividedthem.
No membershouldallowhimselfto be oppressed
by granitic
convictions
on a subjectunderdebate.
Heshould
bewilling
to hearwhatis saidtohimby his
constituents,
his partymembersand thoseopposed
to him.
On the otherhand,he shouldbewareof slipping
intothegroove
of governing
by publicopinion
polls.
Depending
uponthe man-in-the-street
for adviceon
a legalmeasure
or on theconduct
of business
witha
foreign
country
is aboutas futileas forthecaptain
of a shipto consult
hispassengers
uponproblems
of
navigation.
The publicfiguregoingaroundalways
withhisearto thegroundis in an ungainly
posture,
anditisdifficult
forhimtolooklikea leader.
Towardan ideal state
Partof a leader’s
dutyis to persuade
hisfellow
citizens
to pursue
notthatwhichseemsmostpleasant,
easyor profitable
at themoment,
butto preferthat
whichisjustandhonourable
andbestin thelongrun.
Therepresentative
of thepeople
in a parliamentary
democracywouldbe delinquentin his duty if he
presented
a picturepostcardviewof the promised
landas the idealto be aimedat. The buildingof
Utopiamustbe in linewiththe resourcesof the
country.
Plato,
in designing
hisidealRepublic,
lived
in an ageso stinted
in necessities
andso scantyin
It is truethatgovernment
duringthepastseveral comfort
thathe hadonlyto provide
thattherewould
decades
has beenwithdrawing
frompractical
contact
be
enough
territory
on
which
to
grow food, and
withcitizens
as individuals.
Men andwomenbecome
that
the
inhabitants
must
not
let
their
wantsexceed
increasingly
mereunits
instatistical
tables.
thebounties
ofnature.
Thiscausesmanya crevasse
of misunderstanding
Utopiacannotbe anything
elsebut a placewhere
between
citizens
andthosewhoactforthemin govern- menandwomenwillmindtheirbusiness
anddo their
ment. Widespreadpopulargovernmentrequiresa
assignment
of workdiligently
forthesakeof living
steadysupplyof information
uponpublicaffairs
to
well.Nevertheless,
theeducational
valueof painting
all citizens,
andnotmerelyan account
of whatwas
utopias
hasrepeatedly
beenestablished
by the fact
donebutwhyit wasdone.
thatmanyutopianidealshavebeenrealized
through
Government
dependsuponconsent;
the expression thedemocratic
process.
offreeconsent
isfrustrated
ifitisgiven
in ignorance
The goodsocietyis aboveall a societythatis
of factsthatshouldhavebeenmadeknown.People
examining
andlearning
andputting
intopractice.
It
mustlearnwhatistruein orderto judgerightly.
attendsto whatneedsto be donetoday,but it has
eyesforthehorizon
towardwhichit is moving.
Every
Leadershipis crucial
memberof parliamentshouldlook for and work
toward
better
things:
indeed,
if he doesnotdo so how
Everypersonelected
to parliament
is a leaderin
can
he
be
a
wise
guardian
of
present
things
?
thathe represents
thousands
of persons
in theireffort
Then,
in
co-operation
with
the
people,
he can
to builda community
in whichtheycanlivesafely
address
himself
to
expanding
the
satisfactions
of
life,
andhappily.
The futureof Canadadependsuponthe
by binding
thepartsof Canadatogether
notonlyin
willingness
of thepeopleto be ledby competent
and
geography
butin thebondof participating
citizenconscientious
representatives
in government,
andon
ship.Instead
of seeking
merelya higherstandard
of
thewillingness
andability
oftheleaders
to servethe
living,
Canadians
will
try
unitedly
to
improve
the
peopleuponsuchtermsas thedemocratic
peoplewill
quality
oflife.
accept.
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