However, there is some criticism concerning the way our political system functions, notably the accusation that it provides too much power to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister has a wide range of powers, including the nomination of the Governor-General, the appointment of senators and Supreme Court justices. In recognition of this, Jean Chrétien has said that “[a] strong prime minister, having listened to everyone's opinion, may simply announce that his view is the policy of the government, even if most, or all, the other ministers are opposed.” The Canadian parliamentary system combines the executive and the legislative branches of government, meaning that parliament is unlikely to oppose the Prime Minister, as the Congress can do to the President in the US. This would seem to be rather undemocratic, as the Prime Minister is only one of many MPs elected by the Canadian electorate.
However, the Prime Minister is an elected representative, and although we officially vote for our own MP to represent our riding, it would be naïve to not admit that in general, when a Canadian voter walks into the polling station, they vote for the leader of whichever party they prefer. So, what the voter is really doing is voting for the Prime Minister. Is it therefore unreasonable to give him this power?
Consider the advantages that bequeathing this range of powers presents. The Prime Minister is in reality the representative of the people. Therefore, if he is able to implement the legislation he wants to without facing opposition, usually, he is really being provided the tools to more easily implement the platform on the basis of which he was elected. This platform is the will of the people, and the lack of opposition from parliament guarantees that the voice of the people is heard.
So, how democratic are we in Canada? We have a voice through our elected representatives, and the will of the majority is ably carried out by a Prime Minister who does not face the encumbering checks and balances that the American President faces from Congress. There may be some imperfections with our system, but these have nothing to do with the mechanism of democracy. When it comes to that, the voices of the majority of Canadians are represented by a powerful, democratic Prime Minister.
