Representative versus Participatory Democracy in Canada: Role of Citizen Activism

I guess the petion really does begin to address my question. Here is a short excerpt from the petition:

United, we call upon the Government of Canada to:

1. Respect the right to freedom of opinion and expression. Therefore,

• Cease to deliberately target those who speak out against government policies with the use of smear campaigns, dismissal from employment, funding cuts, blatant and subtle threats, regulations designed to obfuscate and prevent public debate, and other acts of bad faith.
• Commit to parliamentary hearings in the Fall of 2010 that address widespread concerns about the loss of democratic space in Canada.

2. Act in accordance with Canada’s democratic traditions and values. Therefore,

• Actively promote and support political diversity and public debate, instead of avoiding it.
• Recognize and respect the vital role, expertise, and necessary independence of civil society organizations.

3. Be transparent. Therefore,

• Demonstrate full respect for and accountability to the Parliament of Canada and the Canadian People.
• Allow complete access for Canadians to information regarding public policy decisions.

Please see: http://www.voices-voix.ca/en/declaration

The P2P Foundation"reconnects with the older traditions and attempts for a more cooperative social order, but this time obviates the need for authoritarianism and centralization; it has the potential of showing that the new more egalitarian digital culture, is connected to the older traditions of cooperation of the workers and peasants, and to the search for an engaged and meaningful life as expressed in one’s work, which becomes an expression of individual and collective creativity, rather than as a salaried means of survival."

check it out at: http://p2pfoundation.net/P2P_Foundation:About