Canadian Democracy

In response to the lowest voter-turn out in Canadian history in the federal election of October 2008 (59%) I would like to express my ideas on what needs to be done if Canada is to see any improvement in voter apathy.

Civic education needs to be dramatically improved.

Provided that the Ministry of Education in Ontario only allots one half semester to civic education in high school, we cannot expect students to take it seriously either. Civic education should be the basis of knowledge for students on government, current affairs, history of democracy and opportunities for participation.

By immersing students in current political affairs in a dynamic and inspiring way, they would be encouraged to keep following current political affairs even after the class ended. By exposing the historic struggle by women and aboriginals for their right to be recognized as people by Canadian law before they could vote, as well as the on-going struggle for democracy in other countries today, then there would be a deepened appreciation for this right. By revealing the opportunities, such as party youth-wings and volunteerism, for students to get involved in politics, more youth would seize their place in democracy even before they could cast their first ballot.

Other than drastic improvements and standards for civics education, the government needs to honor the Federal Accountability Act. Canadians are reasonably fed up with unrelenting elections and disagreements between parties that hold-up progress. The fact that a minority government is in power cannot be used as an excuse not to get things done. They are there to discuss issues in our country and work towards solutions on them. They need to work together to come to consensus no matter what the conditions may be.