Hub Podcasts Andrew Coyne on why Canada may not be a democracy
Jul 28, 2025
Andrew Coyne, a prominent columnist for The Globe and Mail and author of 'The Crisis of Canadian Democracy,' dives deep into Canada’s democratic landscape. He critiques the overwhelming power of the Prime Minister's Office and the decreasing influence of Members of Parliament. Coyne discusses the accountability issues in party leadership and how they relate to political engagement. He also addresses the urgent housing crisis while advocating for essential reforms to make Canadian democracy more representative and inclusive. A thought-provoking listen!
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MPs Reduced to Bureaucratic Tasks
- Much of MPs' constituency work is bureaucratic and could be done by interns.
- MPs have minimal legislative power and mostly function as representatives handling routine casework.
MPs Collude in Their Servitude
- MPs see themselves as employees of the party leader, not independent legislators.
- They cheer leader's abuses of power rather than challenge them, colluding in their own servitude.
No PM Forced Out Since Macdonald
- No Canadian prime minister has been forced out of office due to scandal since Sir John A. Macdonald.
- Some modern prime ministers arguably deserve criminal charges on their conduct.
