Continuing conversations with Canadians

There were two more news articles this week seeking to engage Canadians in conversations about our politics, our democracy and our vision for our country.

Mira Sucharov (a former professor of mine from Carleton University) had an article in the Ottawa Citizen challenging Canadians to start talking politics. “With Canadian voter turnout in the 2008 elections being the lowest on record at 59 per cent, I can't help but wonder if Canadian political culture might not benefit from a dose of frank political conversation among regular citizens -- daily and often.”

We have enough partisan debate, says Sucharov, but “What I don't see much of is people openly discussing how they want their society to be ordered, which party they think can best do so, and why.”

“This is why we should begin promoting a more intimate kind of political conversation, one in which it becomes perfectly acceptable, even expected, to ask your neighbours what party they voted for.”

Having these conversations will make Canadians more informed, more engaged voters, Sucharov argues. Amen to that.

Meanwhile, columnist Dan Gardner is challenging Canadians to find a sense of vision. “There isn't one. The government has no vision.

“Neither do the opposition parties. And don't look to corporations, labour, the non-profit sector, or any other component of Canadian public life. They're as myopic as the political leadership…

“Canada is brimming with little ideas, but lacking in anything grand and ambitious. There are plenty of vague sentiments, but no clear goals. There's lots of talk about next month and next year but little about the next decade or three.”

I’m not as pessimistic as Gardner that Canadians have no vision. Many Canadians are calling for our politicians to adopt a vision. CPJ has been calling on our government to Envision Canada Without Poverty. But its true that our governance and political direction is sadly lacking in vision.

We need to start having conversations about our future – with politicians, and with each other.