“My responsibility to you and my personal integrity matter more than an unelected seat on the government benches in the House of Commons.” – Scott Aitchison, Member of Parliament for Parry Sound–Muskoka
Last week, I wrote an article about the Ford government in Ontario proposing legislation that would allow them to appoint heads of otherwise elected regional municipal governments in the province, effectively interfering with local municipal elections.
I stand by what I wrote then, and many people agreed with my comments. Some of those, no doubt, were not fans of the Ford government in the first place, and so it was easy to cry foul as this proposed legislation relates to the democratic process in Ontario.
I can’t help but wonder how many of those particular individuals will rationalize the efforts of the Carney government to achieve a majority in Parliament, which was not elected or sanctioned by voters in Canada. To me, this is equally undemocratic and equally wrong.
I have said previously that I believe Mark Carney, as Prime Minister, with his particular background, is the right person at the right time, especially with everything that is going on in the world that directly affects Canada. I stand by that as well. But Carney was not handed a majority government by the people of Canada.
There is a big difference between a minority and a majority government. One makes the government fully accountable to Parliament. The other pretty well gives them carte blanche. Both scenarios are fully democratic, but only if chosen by the people.
The Federal Liberals will win at least two by-elections this week in traditional safe seats and will then have the majority government they covet. But even with those wins, they would not have that majority without people unelected as Liberals sitting on the government side of the House.
There are those who will shrug and say, oh well, if an election were held today, Carney would get a majority, so what’s the difference? But there is a difference, and it is called democracy.
Others will say that the Carney government had nothing to do with defections from opposition parties, especially from Conservatives who crossed the floor solely because they disliked Pierre Poilievre. Hogwash. That may have made it easier for the Liberals to recruit them, but it was incentive and opportunism that made them cross the floor.
I have always been opposed to floor-crossing. A member of Parliament is elected on the basis of his or her partisanship. They have a contract with the people who elected them to represent the interests of that constituency, as well as the political party they stood for. In my view, a member of Parliament who can no longer abide the political party for which they were elected has only two choices. They can either resign and trigger a by-election in their constituency or sit in Parliament as an independent. Floor-crossing to create a majority government that was not elected by the people does not pass the smell test.
So, why did this happen?
First of all, with the Carney government’s current popularity, those who crossed the floor quite likely feared he would call an election to legitimately win his majority, and they would be in real danger of losing their seats. By joining the government benches to create that majority, they have guaranteed themselves three more years on the parliamentary payroll and pension plan, and their constituents who elected them can do nothing about it. If that is not a breach of contract, I do not know what is.
More importantly, these floor-crossings were a specific strategy of the current government to secure a majority in Parliament without going back to the electorate. To me, that is a grab for power they were not given, are not entitled to and is not democratic.
The Liberals have made no secret about their campaign to encourage opposition members to cross the floor. In fact, they have wallowed in it and openly boasted about their “negotiations.”
And so, the question arises, what incentive was offered to the members of the Opposition to join the Liberal ranks?
Negotiation at its core implies some sort of exchange. What was it? A trip to China? A commitment to an appointment as a Liberal candidate in the next election rather than having to face a nomination process? A patronage appointment if they lose the next election? Appointment to a favourite committee or as a Parliamentary Assistant or even to Cabinet? All of this and more is within the purview of a sitting government.
And please do not tell me this did not happen. One Conservative Member of Parliament reported he was approached by a Liberal colleague and asked, “What would it take?”
This strategy on the part of the Liberal government also raises the question of the importance to them of ideology and integrity and whether a quest for absolute power, not granted by the electorate, simply trumps that.
I can believe that some of the moderate conservatives who joined the Liberal benches could be acceptable to that caucus. But Marilyn Gladu? Give me a break!
For the past ten years, Marilyn Gladeau has been as far right as you can get in the Conservative Party of Canada. She ran as a right-wing, social Conservative candidate to be its Leader. She was a huge fan of the Truck Convoy that paralyzed Ottawa a few years ago, and some of her positions have been homophobic. It is hard for me to believe that any genuine Liberal would see this recruitment as anything other than the height of opportunistic hypocrisy by their own Party.
Robyn Urback, a journalist with The Globe and Mail, said this about Marilyn Gladu’s recruitment by the Liberals. “It says something else entirely about the Liberal Party as an entity: about what it stands for, what its principles are, where its ideological outlook lies on the political spectrum.”
In the same article, Robyn Urback also said, “The governing Liberals will obviously accept whichever warm body comes its way on the slow march to a majority.”
In defending this recruitment, Cabinet Minister and former journalist Evan Solomon said, “We are interested in unity, not uniformity.” Hogwash again.
There is one other concern about the Carney Liberals recruiting Opposition Members of Parliament to the government benches, and that is whether it conforms to the law.
Section 119 of the Criminal Code of Canada states that “It is illegal to directly or indirectly offer a reward, advantage or benefit to a public official to influence their actions.” As time goes by, it will be interesting to see how that worked out.
I believe that floor-crossing is wrong. More importantly, however, I believe that a fundamental principle of democracy is that citizens decide who and which political party they want to represent them in Parliament, and only they can decide whether they want a minority or a majority government.
It is my view that the Carney government has contributed to the erosion of democracy by manipulating a majority in Parliament with unelected Liberals and exercising power not intended by the electorate.
We are seeing this erosion quite visibly in many parts of the world, as little by little, we witness governments taking power away from the people.
The erosion of democracy is creeping into the actions of Federal and provincial governments in Canada as well, bit by bit, and perhaps not yet prominently, but nevertheless present. We need to stop that in its infancy.
However much governments may want to extend their power over the people they serve, democratic principles cannot harbour simple convenience.
Hugh Mackenzie
Hugh Mackenzie has held elected office as a trustee on the Muskoka Board of Education, a Huntsville councillor, a District councillor, and mayor of Huntsville. He has also served as chairman of the District of Muskoka and as chief of staff to former premier of Ontario, Frank Miller.
Hugh has also served on a number of provincial, federal and local boards, including chair of the Ontario Health Disciplines Board, vice-chair of the Ontario Family Health Network, vice-chair of the Ontario Election Finance Commission, and board member of Roy Thomson Hall, the National Theatre School of Canada, and the Anglican Church of Canada. Locally, he has served as president of the Huntsville Rotary Club, chair of Huntsville District Memorial Hospital, chair of the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, president of Huntsville Festival of the Arts, and board member of Community Living Huntsville.
In business, Hugh Mackenzie has a background in radio and newspaper publishing. He was also a founding partner and CEO of Enterprise Canada, a national public affairs and strategic communications firm established in 1986.
Currently, Hugh is president of C3 Digital Media Inc., the parent company of Doppler Online, and he enjoys writing commentary for Huntsville Doppler.
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Excellent commentary. Floor crossings are just one example of our flawed electoral system. They have occurred before, with other PMs, and they are considered ‘legal’. However, just because something is allowed doesn’t make it right. An MPs change of heart, for whatever reason, should not negate the votes that were cast democratically. If our democratic process is to serve the people of Canada, this should not be an MPs choice, it should be returned to the people to vote again. It says a lot about those individuals and their ethics, but it also says a lot about Carney. Carney welcomed these people with open arms, and he did so for personal gain. He showed Canadians that he too lacks ethics and principles. He also showed that he doesn’t respect the will of the people, nor the democratic process. But now he has his coveted majority and he’s free to implement his real agenda. I don’t believe for one second that Canadians, or most Liberal voters for that matter, have any idea what his real agenda is. I disagree with Hugh’s commentary in one respect. He feels Carney is the best qualified to lead our country because of his experience. My own feeling is that Carney is a banker and a globalist. Bankers, by nature, take our money to make more money for themselves. They are not known for their benevolence, their caring for the little guy or those in need – it’s not in their DNA. I think the people that will gain the most from Carney’s majority will be other globalists. Canada is now in for big changes, not for the better, and it scares me to think about what’s coming next.
We now have a majority Liberal government. All we can hope for now is that P.P. can keep Mark Carney doing what is best for Canada and not just liberal supporters. (S N C Lavalien)! The good thing about a majority government is they can do what they want , the bad thing is they can do what they want.
I am also curious to know what our M.P., has to say about all this.
I imagine Poilievre is kicking himself; he voted for floor crossings. It’s come back to bite him. I would think he’ll take this time to regroup and reflect on what he needs to do if he wants to be the next prime minister. So far, his playbook isn’t working; I’m not surprised.
Bob Braan, thank you for your letter. Afraid Muskoka is still trapped in the conservation cave that has existed for decades.
Remember all the kitchen table arguments over conservatives and liberals. No one dare side with the liberals. Times change.
Anyone who follows the news at all knows Carney was destined for a majority, sooner or slightly later.
Sooner with the help of a few floor crossers and the byelections.
Slightly later would have been after another expensive election without the floor crossers.
Carney’s popularity has gone up since the election while Poilievre’s continues to plunge.
“Polls show Mark Carney is very popular among Canadians”‘
“Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is proving to be one of the most effective leaders that Canada has had in decades. Carney’s approval is riding high compared to his main rival, and his party is polling better than it has in a decade.”
Last election many Canadians were not that familiar with Carney but they knew they didn’t like Poilievre. That part is still true.
“Canada’s Conservative leader is in serious trouble, polls reveal”
After Davos Canadians liked what they saw in Carney.
Can you imagine Poilievre at Davos complaining “Canada is broken” like he does at home?
Complaints are Poilievre’s whole schtick.
Complaints are easy.
And worthless.
Solutions are hard.
And very valuable.
Nothing of any value has ever come out of Poilievre’s mouth.
Just complaints.
It’s baffling that CPC members re-elected two time loser Poilievre as leader.
After a spectacular 20 point plunge in the polls, losing PM and even losing his own seat.
But Liberals are ecstatic they did. No contest.
It turns out many PC members don’t like Poilievre. Along with most Canadians.
Even in Alberta.
Including his communications director who just quit.She finally gave up trying to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.
“Gap narrows in Alberta as federal Conservatives shed some support to Liberals: poll”
Canadians don’t want another election.
Carney would win in a landslide anyway.
“Carneymania Sweeps the Country. Yes, Even Quebec and Alberta Polls show the prime minister’s popularity stretches far beyond the Liberal base””It is the largest Liberal advantage measured by Leger since the summer of 2020.”
Peter Zychowski: There you go again. Be a Conservative, but not a fanatic. Saying that “None of what he/she (D. Ward) said is correct” is a pretty broad brush. Does it matter where the initiative comes from? It’s the dollars that gets the work done. And if it hasn’t all been started yet, so what! Doesn’t mean it won’t get done. Whose fault will that be? Wait and see.
We can all look up outstanding projects. Darlington looks like a joint project with 2B Fed. and 1B Provincial. The P.Q. container project looks like a 1.16 Fed. loan with 150 million from Transport Canada and 130 million from the P.Q. LNG in B.C. Looks like a 50/50 split. Talston Hydro in the N.W.T. looks like mostly Federal money. That’s the way it seems to me.
I’m sure it all looks different to you, but I invite people to search some of these projects and judge for themselves. I’m not sure which “entire generation” is so out of touch. Be specific or at least suggestive. I also want to question your “Press conferences and photo-ops mean nothing.” Really! But you do live in Muskoka/Parry Sound with the rest of us. Right?
As for floor crossers, what this comment is about, I’m anti. You and I have an agreement, I’ll do my damndest to honor it and expect the same of you. I can see that politicians operate on a different plateau than we ordinary souls, but I don’t accept that as right or ethical. I expect better from you and me.. Politicians play fast and loose with truth and reality. But that’s ALL politicians. Don’t tell me the ones I know are lying and the ones you know are sainted. Won’t fly.
See you got that little zinger in about Trudeau. But you know, I bet he doesn’t even care.
Hugh, in how many cases did the liberals actively recruit floor crossers and in how many cases did they just accept them because holding an election to deal with Trumps threats would take time and money that is better spent recruiting new trading partners which was clearly done.in short order?
Hugh Holland: I certainly agree that these are not ordinary times. However my concern is not so much the floor crossings themselves but rather the visible efforts of the Carney Government to recruit these people, even people they fundamentally disagree with, in order to obtain an unelected majority.. In fact, I believe if Mr. Carney had called a snap 30 day election he would have had a much stronger and more respected mandate , both domestically and internationally and he would have had that well before now to deal with these unordinary times. Yes, an election is expensive, but again, we are not in ordinary times.. I believe that the rapid dilution of democratic practices around the world is second in seriousness only to climate change. My point remains that Mark Carney had a better and more democratic way of obtaining the majority he needs. To me this is not a partisan issue but one we all need to call out wherever it creeps into our society, no matter how well intended or convenient it may be
Canada is doing well. Floor crossings are fine. Remember before they cross they are likely informed by the people who voted for them. Many voters have changed their minds since they voted.
I am positive conservatives and their leader could never handle Trump.
We need the best for Canada and believe we have the correct leader.
Thank you!
As noted,in our system we elect people to represent us, not political parties.
If constituents have an issue, they resolve it on election day.
That is a healthy democracy,which ours still is.
Concentration of power by parties or presidents, facilitates election of dictatorships such as prevailed in Europe in the 1930s. Propaganda, disinformation, interference in elections all flourish when power is abused.
Floor crossing may be opportunistic or altruistic or somewhere in between, but it is Democratic.
Just because something is legal, doesn’t mean it’s ethical. Just because one party did it, doesn’t mean it’s acceptable in all instances. The difference between this set of floor crossings and any other is that it shifts the power of our government from the accountable minority that the Canadian people granted it to an unaccountable majority which we did not. This is unprecedented and undemocratic. An unelected majority government is by definition a government that the voters did not want.
Hugh, I could agree with you in ordinary times. But these are not ordinary times. Trump issued his executive order to raise tariffs on Canadian products with a goal of annexing Canada just after Carney was elected. That was not business a usual and no doubt prompted many Canadians to rethink their position and it’s a good thing they did. As you have said many times, Trumps ideas get crazier by the day, and we need a very strong and united Canadian government to deal with him. Are we hearing a public outcry about the floor crossings? Many people are happy to see the quick response to strengthen Canada’s position. In this case, having another general election would take too long.
Does anyone know how many previous floor crossers got re-elected after switching parties?
“A politician who crosses the aisle, has shown tremendous courage in putting their principles first” – Conservative leader Andrew Scheer when Liberal MP Leona Alleslev crossed the floor to join the Conservatives in 2018. As with most conservative folks, it’s only a problem if it happens to them.”
Floor crossing is common. Harper had 3.
Was that undemocratic?
Canadians did vote PP out of parliament when he lost his own seat.
Yet he is back like a bad smell.
After backroom dealings at Con central.
Is that undemocratic as well?
Liberals don’t believe in anything other than what’s good for Liberals.
Their frequent conflation between what’s good for Canada and what’s good for themselves is cynical and destructive. Just look at the state of our country.
They’re nihilistic and vacuous. Always have been and always will be in it for themselves; power for the sake of power.
To paraphrase journalist Chris Selley: “The Liberal Party of Canada consists of people who would never believe they would do the thing they’re currently doing.”
Governing by which way the wind is blowing produces the results we have in Canada. Plummeting rankings in every category including quality of life, happiness, economic productivity and growth.
Carney’s record:
Zero new trade agreements.
Zero project approvals.
7% unemployment and getting worse.
Now the old people who make up Carney’s base are arguing at their convention that young people who seek greener pastures elsewhere, including the United States, should be prohibited by law from leaving. You can’t make it up.
We need a new government in this country.
I must ask Hugh when are we going to hold those who we elect to represent us as leaders at all levels accountable for the promises they make and fail to hold to them. I know it’s going to be said well vote them out next election but is there not another way to make them hold to their promises. Excuse me for my ignorance if I am dead wrong on this
Sounds a lot like proportional representation. Nobody will take a stand when they are in power. Floor crossings have been happenning since the 1800s in Canada. The Liberals complain when their members cross the floor and then the Conservatives complain when their members cross, etc. Either change it or stop complaining. Bribery is just part of politics by nature, and I suspect the bribes are not personal, but political favours to the MPs riding – (is that illegal?) and helps the people who elected the MP. Anyway, the bigger issue is why these people are crossing the floor. It is not because of bribes, and it does not take a genius to see that the reason is PP and the toxic environment within the conservative party. They need change.
Whether constituents approve of floor crossing or not is not the major issue. It is allowed. What is clearly indicates is the need for a more suitable Conservative leader.
Whatever happened to MPs actually representing their constituents? These days, once elected they vote in complete obeisance to the party leader / party whip.
Whatever happened to debating individual bills, rather than omnibus bills where various items the party secretly want are hidden from view, buried in hundreds of pages of a multi-facted bill.
Whatever happened to plebiscites? Important programs once were voted on by the voters…now they are long gone.
Erosion of democracy has been ongoing for some time.
Bravo Hugh, a sad day in Canadian politics when a majority government is achieved that is not elected and ignores the voice of the people they serve.