Canada's Most unDemocratic Moment

Near my office building is a tree that was planted to celebrate the first full and free elections of South Africa. The tree is meant to represent democracy. It's only just over a decade old, so it's not very tall yet but it's sturdy and its roots grow deeper in to the ground with every passing day meaning no matter the elements thrown at it, the tree will endure.

But it's not enough just to have planted the tree; this beautiful natural symbol requires regular care and nurturing.

So yes. The tree is very much like democracy.

Democracy is active, not static. Much like faith that I spoke about here, democracy requires practice. In order for it work, in order for it to be most effective, it must be cared for, respected and engaged in.

The current status of Canada's Parliament, locked out prorogued, is not an example of caring, respect or engagement. It is the very antithesis of all of those things.

Prorogation is part of our democratic process to be sure. It is used, in a pro forma way, when the government and the opposition are agreed the work of that Parliament is done and the only logical next step is to move for a new Speech from the Throne and set a new agenda.

It is also used to avoid defeat on confidence motions in rare circumstances (see December 08, just in case you forgot).

But to use it to avoid answering difficult questions on Afghan detainees, to use it to avoid asking the Defence Minister for his resignation for apparently lying to Parliament, to use it so you can go hang at the Olympics and avoid any difficult questions in front of other world leaders is cheap.

It's cowardly.

It's sneaky.

It's wrong.

It's appalling.

And it is most certainly, without a doubt, undemocratic.

We are, as Rick Mercer so eloquently puts it here, in a state of taxation without representation.

This is a time when we need leadership. The economy may be on the road to recovery but it's a fragile thing and the last thing it needs right now is people taking a break.

There is also something inherently deceptive about a government continuing to make large, significant announcements (hello full body scanners) when there is no opposition to question them, when WE the PEOPLE have been denied the right for our representatives to ACTUALLY represent us on this or any other issue.

Our PM and his talking heads dismiss the outrage by saying this is not something ordinary Canadians care about.

That answer has the depth of a mud puddle.

Is the PM suggesting that all of his decisions are governed by what people care about. Politics may be a popularity contest but governing is not. Governing is about doing what is necessary, not what is always popular.

That's what leaders do.

That's what democracy is.

This moment, this undemocratic moment, is a dark one for this country.

But we have a chance to light a candle. Write to your MP and demand that they get to work.