info@atlanticaparty.ca

"The problem with Parliament is that it has ceased to be a legislative body. It provides a public forum for venting reaction or venting ideas, but doesn't have much to do with governing the country." - Stephen Harper, Prime Minister

"The Prime Minister used to be described as 'the first among equals' in the cabinet, or as 'a moon among minor stars'. This is no longer so. He (she) is now incomparably more powerful than any colleague. The Prime Minister chooses the ministers in the first place, and can also ask any of them to resign; if the minister refuses, the Prime Minister can advise the Governor General to remove that minister and the advice would invariably be followed. Cabinet decisions do not necessarily go by majority vote. A strong prime minister, having listened to everyone's opinion, may simply announce that his (her) view is the policy of the government, even if most, or all, the other ministers are opposed. Unless the dissenting ministers are prepared to resign, they must bow to the decision." - Jean Chretien, former Prime Minister

"A Canadian Prime Minister can appoint judges, ratify treaties, send Canadian men and women into war, negotiate trade agreements, make patronage appointments, set the date of elections to suit his or her political advantage, determine when Parliament will be prorogued, when it will be recalled, and appoint the most senior public servants, all without reference to the MPs Canadians have elected to represent them. This is a parliamentary dictatorship and it must be brought to an end." - Bill Blakie, MP

"Parliament is not working and has not been working for a long time" - Joe Clark, former Prime Minister

Students Need to Vote

Are you a student with no interest in the political scene? Can’t see the point in voting when nothing is going to change?

There is a third way.

Political reform should be the issue in the election. So get involved. Read each party’s platform, talk to all of your candidates and ask how they and their parties are going to make Canada more democratic so you have a real voice. If they have nothing substantive to say about reform beyond vague promises consider the ‘third way’, voting a blank ballot; the ‘none of the above’ option. Your ballot blank on May 2 will send a clear positive message that Canadians want democratic reform and that none of the choices are acceptable.

We want every Canadian to do their duty and vote. Voting a blank ballot is perfectly valid and Elections Canada counts and reports these ballots in the same way as ballots for candidates.

So get involved and make an informed decision. Say no to the status quo.

Lets fight for something we can believe in!

Consider a blank ballot vote; it is a valid 'none of the above' option.

Since the Canadian Constitution states that Canada is to have a government similar to that of the UK, if the UK adopts PR should Canada not be required to adopt PR. FPTP would become un-constitutional.

Because structural changes are complex affairs, particularly in a country like Canada, where the provinces have to sign off on it.  I see little point in further pursuit of substantial constitutional changes where all we're going to do is open up more wounds and potentially fracture the country.  If a change can be made politically via our current institutions, then why should we open the constitution up?

I like to think that we agree in theory, your objections are that making the changes is not do-able. I tend to agree with you ToadBrother. It could be that making Canada where citizens have a real voice in government is a doomed project. Unfortunately we have come to the point where the system cannot evolve but yet is not practical for the 21st century. It remains to be seen if eventually there is some kind of crisis, such as very low voter turnouts or a province or region breaking away from the country in order to seek greater democracy.

For our part the Atlantica Party is at least trying to make a difference at the provincial level.