[bizorky]

Big shifts in policy rarely ever eminate from within government alone. There are certain issues upon which all parties may agree, but disagree with respect to how to carry them out, or implement, the programs or initiatives. This is a reality for majority, minority and coalition governments.

What many of you are alluding to above is the structure of government, and not so much how government "works." With respect to structure, there is no one right way to do it as, no doubt, someone will be disatisfied with any model. That being said, while we can look at existing models of government from other nations, we can also invent our own structures, too.

As for minority governments, yes they can work. But it is not a guarantee.

 

[shumoon]

Couldn't the Canadian press voluntarily agree to withhold exit poll results from the east until the western polling places have closed?

 

[bizorky]

^There is also the American press to think of. They could do exit polling, and Canadian media could pick up on what is being said there. Or people could just tune in.

 

[afransen TO]

They've had elections canada prohibit them from releasing results. Thing is, you can't really legislate against internet information dissemination. Furthermore, what news organization is willing to delay breaking a story when their competitors will probably be willing to beat them to it?

 

[unimaginative2]

In the past, they didn't release the results until the BC polls were closed. There was a court challenge that overturned the ban. I think it was also felt that the internet would make the ban unenforceable.

 

[Darkstar416]

Aren't national voting hours a bit staggered now to lessen this affect?

 

[afransen TO]

Yes. Polls close quite late in Atlantic Canada and quite a bit earlier in BC. I think there's still an hour and a half lag between polls closing in Nfld and BC.

I think it's a preposterous argument, at any rate. Every riding counts toward the total in the House, whether the polls close early or late in that riding. Everything else is whining and perception. The only way to correct the perception that Ontario decides elections is to have Ontario be disenfranchised or have Ontario have a smaller population relative to the rest of Canada. I see two options: a few well placed nuclear warheads in southern Ontario, or importing several third world countries to reside in Saskatchewan, Alberta and BC. I'm sure those out west will be pleased with their ability to decide elections to their satisfaction either way.

 

[TdotTrickyRicky]

I prefer some type of proportional representation on principle over our current system but I think there is little evidence to suggest election reform will lead to better governance which ultimately is the point. Canada, while not exceptional in any area I can think of is, over all is a reasonably well governed nation. If we look to other countries by comparision I think the best governed nations are those not with any particular electoral system but those with small mature populations. Our government I think is lacking in the same areas that our private sector is lacking in, leadership, innovation and long-term planning. If we look at any particular area of government, excellence often flows not from politics but from strength in the beaurocracy. As an example the MTO Ministry of Transportation of Ontario was in the 70's, 80's and into the 90's (at least in engineering circles) generally acknowledged globally as a leader in standards, technology and innovation.

 

[afransen TO]

I think using a preferential ballot for voting would actually appreciably change how Canada is governed. It would make majorities rarer, thereby forcing parties to work together in Parliament. It would also boost smaller parties and centrist parties. I think the parties that would benefit most from such a change are the Greens and the Liberals.

As it is now, strategic voting often forces one to vote for one's second or third choice in order to ensure the vote is not wasted.



Ricky, how do you propose we encourage more leadership and innovation in government and the private sector?

 

[TdotTrickyRicky]

afransen,

I'm not really certain how we can increase innovation and leadership in government and business. I really think it flows from individual initiative and the chance formation of a small collective of motivated individual achievers who feed off the collective energy. How can you facilitate through regulation or human organization the formation of a silicon valley, or a Motown or a Bollywood or some such successful group within a company or government or government agency? I think it's mostly chance and that is why all successful human initiatives and institutions rise and fall, but you can try to increase your chances. I think if we studied how "scenes" formed we might gain some insight. An environment that allows experimentation, flexibility and positive feedback is a must.