A blog to give a voice to our concern about the continued erosion of our democratic processes not only within the House of Commons and within our electoral system but also throughout our society. Here you will find articles about the current problems within our parliamentary democracy, about actions both good and bad by our elected representatives, about possible solutions, opinions and debate about the state of democracy in Canada, and about our roles/responsibilities as democratic citizens. We invite your thoughtful and polite comments upon our posts and ask those who wish to post longer articles or share ideas on this subject to submit them for inclusion as a guest post.
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Sunday, February 14, 2016

An Antidote to Cynicism

I was not going to post my regular “Sunday Sermon” this week, little in the news having grabbed my attention but then I saw this thanks to Montreal Simon. It sums up my current feelings quite well so here are a couple of extracts from Heather Mallick's article in the Star.

Canada has changed so much in the 100 days since the Liberal cabinet was sworn in that I don’t quite know how to describe it. It’s not a sea change, which is a gradual encrustation at full fathom five, or a reversion, which would let us pretend those 10 Harper years had never happened. Don’t ever forget that lost decade.
But as I write this, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is live on Twitter, asking us to ask him anything. Tell me that’s not new. If Harper had had anything to say to citizens, it would have been, “Stay away from me. I have guards both human and dog,” or “We are watching you from apertures.” 
 
She goes on to say....
Climate change is now taken seriously and can be discussed without fear. Government scientists can speak freely without stigma.
There will be an inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women, and it will be well-designed and purposeful. Their shameful treatment cannot go on forever. If we don’t make things right, will we become like the U.S., padlocked into hate since the Civil War with no end in sight? Intolerable.
The cabinet is half female. I don’t think anything has given strength to Canadian women more than that, and the male half of cabinet is honoured to work with them. And Ottawa no longer persecutes Muslim women in head scarves. There is no longer a hotline for snitching on self-defined “barbaric cultural practices.” 
 
And concludes like this.....
I like the new tone, although the rule of no heckling/racism in the Commons will likely have to be enforced.
I like Trudeau’s personality. Imagine Harper joking with the Queen or being invited by U.S. President Barack Obama to a state dinner.
We have four Liberal years ahead of us and I don’t feel cynical about the future. My cynicism has always been my worst quality. It’s good to shrug it off. 
 
Yes Heather, I also feel my cynicism with government dwindling and it does feel good. Let us hope it lasts!




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3 comments:

Lorne said...

I read that article, Rural, and I think she is quite correct in her sentiments. I feel much better today than I did a year ago, but I am also aware that there will be much to criticize about the new government in the months and years to come. However, to criticize is not to reject. It is only part of being an informed and engaged citizen.

Rural said...

As you say Lorne, democracy requires that we are informed and engaged, but now it would seen that doing so will be much easier.

Unknown said...

Yes, and no worry of crystalnight, book burnings or jackboots kicking in the door at night.