What is the problem with Minority Governments?
Saturday, October 3, 2009 at 2:23PM During the last BC election, we held a referendum on an alternative electoral system. This referendum did not succeed. One of the most common reasons people voted "No" is because they percieved that it would lead to more minority governments and government wouldn't get anything done.
At the Federal level, we seem to continue to have election after election even though the chances of getting a majority government are so difficult. Michael Ignatieff recently said that he can no longer support the Conservative minority because his "heart of hearts" won't let him. Can I join with the sane masses and cry "bullshit!". The only reason he isn't supporting the government is because he percieves this to be a good time to make his move to sieze power. There is no policy reason, there is no legislative reason. Countries around the world like New Zealand, Ireland, and Great Britian continually demonstrate that they can get things done with minority governments. Why can't we?
I wonder how many Canadians realize what it means for a Prime Minister to have a majority government. In the States, it is very rare when one party controls all three houses (The Senate, The White House, and Congress). In Canada, our Head of State is symbolic and The Senate doesn't have any real power. Under a majority government situation, the Prime Minister has very little oversight over what he or she can or cannot do. As such, a minority government is our best bet to ensure checks and balances are placed upon our decision makers. In a minority government, parties are forced to work together, and thus, the decisions that are made are more balanced (when else would the NDP and Conservatives work together?).
Ignatieff is doing a terrible job working with other parties. As such, he is demonstrating that the motivation behind his decisions is completely guided by his own self interest and the interest of his party. Canada does not need a leader like that. Canada needs a leader who will work for Canadians regardless of the type of government we end up with. I wonder if someone like that will stand up soon?
Federal Liberals in Government of Canada, Politics 
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Reader Comments (2)
I agree, we Canadians seem to have some mental block about having a minority government "work". There is no reason that they can't work and as one of my co-workers is ever keen to remind me, they are probably more likely to represent the desires of a greater number of people as the governing part is always working to get other parties on side.
I think the part that bothers me, is just what you highlighted as well, the constant politic-ing that is happening as each party is less interested in good governance and more interested in bringing down the government and trying to get more seats in the next election. While there is plenty of politic-ing under a majority government as well (I mean it IS politics) it seems people are more focused on the issues and less focused on the next election. At least for a little while.
I'm not keen on having an election every year, or every other year.
PS great video. hehe.
I was terribly disapointed when BC voted down the Single Transferable Vote and instead voted to maintain the First Past the Post system in the province - a system that can let a party win a majority government, even if far more people collectively voted for other parties. As long as we continue without a porportional representation voting system, then I hope we always have minority governments to ensure better representation of all voters' interests.
To those who would say "but majority governments never get anything done" - I would respond that I would rather have an inefficient government than an efficient one that pushes through their own agenda, regardless of what citizens want. "Efficient" government smacks too much of Dictatorship for my comfort. I would also remind people that minority governments do get things done - we developed our socialized health care system in Canada with a minority government. That is no small accomplishment.