Elizabeth May

The role of the individual MP has been sidelined by the power of the Cabinet, and now by the PM alone.

Countries with high voting rates also have high levels of political knowledge.

The increasing prominence of a presidential-style prime minister is steadily denigrating the traditions and institutions of Canadian democracy.

Little wonder that the dumbing down of the political discourse, the attack ads and war rooms reign triumphant. The fifth estate is an enabler in this addiction to political trivia in place of reasoned debate.

Three of my ancestors signed the Declaration of Independence. It's just that any system of government has it pluses and minuses and it's important to understand the system of government you do live under so that you can protect it.

I participate, therefore I am.

Of all the deteriorating aspects of Canadian democracy, the lack of concern over the ability of the national police force to interfere in elections is the one that most suggests Third World politics.

We Canadians think that Canada is a modern, well informed democracy. We look down our noses at the dumbed down content on Fox News and CNN, without noticing that we are rapidly heading in the same direction.