Paul Martin's planned changes
"Canada and Canadians have changed dramatically since 1867. Our national
political institutions have not. It is not hyperbole, therefore, to state
that this is an historic debate – one that holds the promise of reshaping
the way government works at the federal level, if we, as Parliamentarians,
step up to the plate." – From the conclusion
of "The
Parliament We Want  ," a report prepared for the Library of Parliament
by MPs Carolyn Bennett and Deborah Grey, and Senator Yves Morin.
In December, a consultation group
reported that parliamentarians and citizens are feeling disconnected from
the policy makers. Their final report, "The Parliament We Want," summed up
the view of MPs, both government and opposition, that the political process
has drifted away from the citizenry, and from the control of the members
in the House. The report makes it clear that reform is necessary. The question
is how to go about it.
During his leadership campaign for the Liberal party,
Paul Martin promised to tackle the "democratic deficit" in Parliament. Government
House Leader Jacques Saada, the minister responsible for democratic reform,
introduced a plan in early February called the Democratic Reform Action Plan,
outlining steps for making Parliament more democratic.
The plan includes details
of a so-called "three-line" voting system for
MPs when they are voting on legislation in the House of Commons. There will be three
categories of vote: one for entirely free votes, in which all MPs can vote the way
they wish; one for free votes for all but ministers and certain parliamentary secretaries;
one for votes of confidence, where government MPs would be required to vote the party
line.
Critics say the decision on what will be a free vote is still at the discretion
of the prime minister, leaving MPs just as open to pressure to vote a certain
way.
The
plan also includes promises to change the role of the ethics counsellor.
Bill C-4 , legislation to create an independent ethics commissioner as well
as a Senate ethics officer, was passed in the Senate in March 2004.
The plan calls for more involvement by committees. Bills will go to committee
before second reading, and those committees will have more resources and
money to review legislation. MPs will be able to review some appointments,
including the heads of Crown corporations, and possibly judges to the Supreme
Court. Parliamentary secretaries also have an expanded role and greater responsibility.
Saada says "members of Parliament from all sides of the House will have the tools
necessary to hold the government to account and provide Canadians with good responsible
government."
But Ontario MP John Bryden stepped down from the Liberal party in mid- February,
saying it had become less democratic than before. He said he had fought for transparency
of government and more powers for backbench MPs. Bryden, who later lost the nomination
to run as a Conservative, said increasing the number of Privy Council officials
means more MPs have to speak for the government and take oaths of secrecy.
He accused the Liberals of limiting debate. He also said the prime minister
was steering away from openness and accountability.
And opposition critics have said for the most part, the Democratic Reform Action
Plan only affects Liberal MPs, and that it doesn't give Canadian citizens any greater
say in how their government is run.
Both Conservative leader Stephen Harper and NDP leader Jack Layton have suggested
fixed-date elections. Layton has endorsed proportional representation, and the Conservative
policy states it will examine other electoral reforms, including proportional representation.
The Law Commission of Canada has also recommended a modified form of proportional
representation.
Most of the rules in the Democratic Reform Action Plan do not need legislation to
be acted upon. The rules about votes in the House, and the expanded roles of committees
and parliamentary secretaries, took effect immediately. The plan calls for ongoing
consultations with parliamentarians and citizens, particularly young Canadians, on
democratic reform.
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