Aug. 3, 7:55 a.m. - On minority government

I was just rereading a column on minority government Mr. Leger posted on July 21. In it he says, “The most famous recent minority in Canada is probably the short-lived Conservative government of 1979.”

If that is true, the fame of that administration rests primarily in its ineptitude, its determination to govern as if it were a majority regardless of the reality. For me, the most famous recent minority in Canada is the Trudeau Liberal administration of 1972-74. Trudeau kept the party going for two years, until the time was right to force a return to the polls based on a successful record of popular legislation and try for (and get) a majority government. The government was supple and aware of its need to attend to the agendas of the other parties in Parliament, because they had to craft a fresh majority for each vote. It was an exciting time for the NDP, since the Liberals often tacked to the left during those years, but the government was not averse to cozying up to the Conservatives on key legislation to get the PC vote when it needed it.

Part of the success of this period, to my mind one of the best eras of Canadian government, was due to the ruling party going for “good enough” solutions, workable compromises, rather than sticking to an ideological agenda come what may. This is the good lesson that can come out of a spell of minority government.

I look forward with interest to Tuesday’s results, and to the beginning of what I hope will be a very creative governmental dance.

   - Andrew Wetmore

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