Hub Podcasts It's time to downsize the House of Commons
Nov 20, 2025
Richard Shimooka, a defense policy writer, delves into Canada's fighter jet procurement, highlighting potential pitfalls in choosing the wrong aircraft. He critiques the Saab Gripen-E's capability, claiming it can't compete with the F-35 and dismisses its job creation promises as misleading. He underscores the risks of a mixed fleet, suggesting it could hinder Canada’s defense credibility. The discussion also touches on the importance of choosing a fifth-generation fighter for national security, backed by military leaders.
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Aim For About 300 MPs With Fair Allocation
- Reduce the House to about 300 MPs to return to historical levels and improve functionality.
- But only attempt this with a fair, modernized allocation formula that treats provinces equitably.
Allocation Change Needs A Constitution Fix
- Modernizing the seat-allocation formula requires a constitutional amendment and will provoke intense provincial pushback.
- Johnson notes B.C., Alberta, and Ontario would likely support change while smaller provinces would resist fiercely.
Recall Petitions Are Resource Intensive
- Elections Alberta estimates each MLA recall petition will need 106 temporary staff and cost about $1.1 million to verify signatures.
- Felice Chin reports the agency cites tight 21-day verification deadlines and high confidence requirements as key cost drivers.