tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503206839949701676.post8111174070327740694..comments2018-12-25T01:12:33.264-08:00Comments on Crawling From the USA: Canada and the US: Politics, Part Twochas_mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10365057094888352212noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503206839949701676.post-61185368497365737222008-12-05T16:04:00.000-08:002008-12-05T16:04:00.000-08:00Thanks for the changes.... Can't wait for the next...Thanks for the changes.... Can't wait for the next instalment.<BR/><BR/>Two observations....<BR/><BR/>I don't think we will see the ties to the Monarchy changed anytime soon. While I think there could be support to change the old system (in principle), I'm convinced that we couldn't reach a majority decision on what the new system should look like. So, we'll just keep using the old system since it actually seems to work, mostly.<BR/><BR/>Interesting that your post on this political kerfuffle has generated the most comments. I'm not sure what that says about Canadians, but I'm sure it says something.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503206839949701676.post-67406253946551952832008-12-05T13:35:00.000-08:002008-12-05T13:35:00.000-08:00Great thanks for those who added helpful informati...Great thanks for those who added helpful information and insight. These suggestions have been incorporated.chas_mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10365057094888352212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503206839949701676.post-8806766845888531642008-12-05T13:14:00.000-08:002008-12-05T13:14:00.000-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.chas_mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10365057094888352212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503206839949701676.post-69626253216875325072008-12-05T08:17:00.000-08:002008-12-05T08:17:00.000-08:00I'd just point out that Elizabeth II is "Queen of ...I'd just point out that Elizabeth II is "Queen of Canada" under the 1982 Canadian Constitution. GG Jean represents the Queen of Canada, not the "Queen of England". Same person, but two different monarchies.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503206839949701676.post-43885659559531905132008-12-05T07:18:00.000-08:002008-12-05T07:18:00.000-08:00Thanks for putting this up.... I was curious how y...Thanks for putting this up.... I was curious how you would explain it. If I may, a correction though.<BR/>1) People don't elect "ministers", they elect 'Members of Parliament' (MPs). If MPs are very good, and belong to the governing party, they can be promoted to Ministers, which are the heads of Government Departments and/or Ministries. In the provinces, though, people elect a MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly) except in Quebec and Ontario, where they elect MNAs (Member of National Assembly) and MPPs (Member of Provincial Parliament) respectively.<BR/>2) There is a fourth option for Parliament (OK, this isn't a correction) when it reconvenes in January. Since Harper is still PM, he schedules votes. He could design that schedule so that there isn't a vote of confidence for weeks or even a month or two.<BR/><BR/>Harper is more dangerous IMHO than you have painted (and you have not been kind). He has killed the money that went to disadvantaged groups, minorities, and women to challenge the government in court. In other words, for laws or rules (not all of which go through Parliamentary scrutiny) that infringe on Canadian's rights - Canada used to fund (in some cases) a court challenge by the affected group up to the Supreme Court. It was a wonderful quality control check on how laws were being enforced. Now those groups have to fund-raise to overturn these laws. The other side - the government - has virtually unlimited resources to defend what may be an unjust law. I could list examples, but this is a blog about your experiences - not a political blog.<BR/><BR/>I would also quibble with the statement that our democracy is immature. The system is quite mature, and has shown itself to be able to handle these little hiccups. Its the *politicians* who are acting immaturely.<BR/><BR/>Thanks again....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503206839949701676.post-33389755670008150552008-12-05T05:18:00.000-08:002008-12-05T05:18:00.000-08:00A very good primer, Chas. I think that what many ...A very good primer, Chas. I think that what many of my fellow citizens forget is that we do not elect governments in Canada, we elect the House of Commons to Parliament. As can be seen from what happened this week, this is not a minor distinction. It also means that the coalition attempt is completely legitimate. See what happened in Ontario in 1995, for instance.<BR/><BR/>When you do your follow-up article (in a year, or so) one point I feel you should make is that Canada's constitution does not consist solely of the Constitution Act (1982), but also incorporates the unwritten Westminster constitution and all the statutes passed since at least the Magna Carta. You may want to look for books and articles written by the late Senator Eugene Forsey. He was Canada's pre-eminent constitutional authority through much of the second half of the 20th century, and wrote many insightful and accessible items that influenced public debate.<BR/><BR/>Looking forward to part 3....eventually!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com