Canada’s conservative and liberal parties are what is often described as “Big Tent” political parties. It means the parties try to include a wide range of political views for their members and supporters. The more inclusive the party, the broader its appeal can be during elections. The only problem is that these big tent parties are very difficult to lead.
As former conservative leader Erin O’Toole can attest, the leader who promises nothing and does nothing has a better chance of surviving longer. It is almost an axiom in Canadian politics that whatever you do, you will likely annoy some supporters and please others. And, as O’Toole also found out, you cannot keep changing your mind
When Stephen Harper maneuvered the Reform/Alliance party and federal conservative party into the new big tent of the Canadian Conservative Party, he used promises, instead of action, as well as a heavy hand with his MPs. His two minority governments became a majority in 2011 and he set about dismantling Canada as a caring and open, representative democracy.
The only way to change the situation with the big tent parties would be to move to proportional voting. This would mean that the large parties such as the conservatives and liberals would eventually split into at least two, if not three, parties. It would see a growth in Bernier’s People’s Party on the extreme (libertarian) right wing and a likely splinter party serving the religious, anti-abortion, anti-gay rights conservatives.
With the growth of splinter parties, regional parties and even religious parties, under proportional representation, it would be quite unlikely that Canada would ever see any majority governments. The big tent would be the government that could be cobbled together from the special interest and regional parties. As in Europe, it could be months after a general election before a coalition government emerges from negotiations.
Just remember that if you opt for proportional representation, you are giving up the right to elect your member of parliament. Instead of candidates in your area, you would be faced with party lists. I think Canadians want to stick with the system we have. What we need is better leaders for the parties we have.
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