Responsible Government

Upper Canada fought long and hard for responsible government, leading ourselves away from the Family Compact which was governing the people of Upper Canada with only an image of elected officials. However, our government is still not perfect, and can be improved to be more democratic and representative to the people? Here’s some ideas:

• Corporations shouldn’t be allowed to donate to political parties.
• Clear and concise guidelines for the reserve powers of the Crown and how it can be implemented by the Governor General.
• Petitioning the Commonwealth to revise the Statute of Westminster to no longer show gender and religious precedence so that the Heads of State reflects the “Just Society” we have created.1
• A democratic Senate responsible to the People, rather than the parties who appointed them, while still being distinct from the Commons. Whether the best bet is an independent Senate or term limits, I’m not sure, but a means to make the Senate responsible to the provinces they represent.
• Decentralize the government from unelected partisan employees in the PMO and return powers to the elected government Ministers.
• Clear laws on proroguing parliament, and thorough review of potentially undemocratic laws.
• Clear and enforceable laws governing when the Prime Minister can drop the writ.
• A better election system than First Past The Post, and a thorough investigation into the possible choices, along with clear and concise advertising to allow the general public knowledge on how the chosen system works.
• After a choice for Governor General has been thoroughly vetted, a vote in the Commons before presenting the choice to the Queen.
• Open and clear discourse with the Canadian People.

Any other ideas?

1. If William’s first child is a girl, she should be able to take the throne, even if she chooses to be Catholic. [↩]