Ryan Leef
Member of Parliament for Yukon
Dear Ryan,
Two novels by Terry Fallis have received attention lately. Best Laid Plans won the Stephen Leacock Award for humour in 2008. The sequel, The High Road, was even funnier. Both books follow the political adventures of an accidental MP, Angus McLintock. McLintock goes rogue. He refuses to support his own party’s policies when they score partisan points at the expense of the common good. He tells his constituents the truth. And they believe him.
The reason behind the popularity of these novels is that it appeals to a longing for authentic leadership amongst Canadians.
In World War II, King Christian X of Denmark is said to have worn a yellow star in order to protect Jews under Nazi occupation. This story is not exactly true. But it is true that the monarch was vocal in his support of Jewish citizens and encouraged Danes to behave likewise. The result was that thousands of lives were spared. And Danes came out of the war with their dignity intact.
Joe Clark said, “With a flick of his wrist… Nelson Mandela could have triggered revolution and his country would be in flames. He did not. He did the opposite.”
How much impact can single leaders such as King Christian X and Nelson Mandela, have?
People are the same everywhere. There isn’t a gene for wisdom. The history of South Africa isn’t that different from the history of Zimbabwe, which now lies in ruin. The average Dane wasn’t superior to the ordinary hardworking German during World War II. They came from similar cultures and held many of the same values. It is the quality of leadership that determines whether citizens rise above their situations and do what is moral, farsighted and wise, or whether they plunge into conflict and destruction.
Canada is not on the brink of violent conflict. But many serious challenges lie ahead. Climate change, environmental degradation, the hollowing out of our industrial sector and destruction of the middle class are but a few that come to mind. If we are to weather these challenges, we will need good leaders.
Canadians have good leaders. But opportunities for them to be effective are shrinking as our political landscape becomes more about the manipulation of public opinion and less about working for the common good. That is why many of our best leaders are mayors such as Naheed Nenshi. With the exception of unlucky places like Toronto, municipal government is for the most part free of party politics.
Partisanship has lead to political disaffection among the young. And frankly, I am just as disillusioned. But youth are wrong to turn their backs on politics. I can’t think of a more sure-fire way to ensure political success by the most corrupt amongst us than to refuse to participate in elections.
Our political system is badly wounded. Power is concentrated in the Prime Minister’s Office and in the leadership of political parties. Members of Parliament are hamstrung. They are given the thankless task of cheerleading in the House of Commons. They do exactly what they are told while sitting on committees. What bleak choices citizens have when all they are given is political jargon. Our real concerns are too often ignored.
Like the fictional character McLintock, Conservative Member of Parliament, Michael Chong has gone rogue. He has identified a serious flaw in our parliamentary system and has tabled the Reform Act in order to correct this flaw. If passed, members of Parliament would be able to remove their leader. (A similar law in the United Kingdom allowed Conservative members to remove Margaret Thatcher.) The power to nominate candidates would be given to riding associations, a privilege now held by party leaders. Because of this shift in power, members of Parliament would be better able to represent the wishes of their constituents. Citizens would be empowered because their political choices would be meaningful.
Consider going rogue. Support the Reform Act. It won’t cure all of the ills in our parliamentary system. But it will go a long way towards healing Canadian democracy. It would be for the common good.
Have a Merry Christmas Ryan. May you walk on the high road.
Respectfully yours,
Linda Leon
“Letters to Ryan Leef” are published monthly in the Yukon News and in rabble.ca.
Linda Leon is not a member of any political party.
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