By Heather Bastedo

Here at Samara we read with great interest the latest ‘Beyond the Horse race’ series in iPolitics this week written by Frank Graves.  We couldn’t agree more that it is critical to look at politics beyond electoral races. As evaluations of politics are largely formed between elections, rather than during them, we need to pay attention to what goes on and how those perceptions are shaped by behaviour every day. For that reason, this is an important series. Not to mention, when we see that the number of Canadians who view their democracy as unhealthy is growing, with pretty much half of the Canadian population now feeling this way, the case for looking at what goes on between elections becomes even more important.

And it is interesting that when asked what the biggest issue facing democratic health is, an ineffectual Parliament topped the list, followed closely by concerns over representation and declining voter turnout. We agree that all of these things are important to understand. What goes on in Parliament, and why people might feel it is ineffectual needs further exploration, and so too does the pronounced dissatisfaction with representation, and the problem of waning engagement.  However the list of choices is a very short one, and, as a consequence, quite limited. So limited, that it prohibits a more important discussion that needs to take place.

In contrast, when we spoke to folks about their concerns last spring, those issues barely surfaced. As much as it might be necessary, electoral reform was only a passing comment, and what goes on in House was not even mentioned. Instead the conversations were very different.  Canadians spoke less about structures and more about quality. They cared about the values they that they felt were absent, and this was pretty basic stuff—responsiveness, inclusiveness and participation.

The discussion focused in part on accountability and responsiveness, or their ability to hold politicians to account, and the Canadians we spoke to expressed concern over affecting even modest amounts of change in their communities—never mind Ottawa. This is perhaps what roots the feelings that Parliament is ineffectual.

They also worried that their own voice did not count, and voting did not matter so much, as other more powerful voices predominate the debate. They felt left out and were concerned because they felt that the things they care about are rarely discussed, and when they are, they are communicated in a way that few can understand. Maybe this is why they are responsive to changes in the electoral system.

And finally, they felt that information was hard to find and often harder to understand, and possibly as a result they felt less inclined to participate because the debate is hard to understand.

We too often measure the results of this frustration, (lack of trust in politicians etc.,) and lament about shortfalls in structures, without knowing what qualities we want to build, and where the structures fall short in meeting those needs.

That’s a harder conversation, but one we feel is worthy of taking on.  That’s what we want to measure with our Index. We want to go beyond the horse race and the usual suspects. We want to talk about what happens between elections, and how what happens between elections affects you, but we also want to know the kind of government you want to build. What qualities should your government exemplify?  What does a healthy government look like?

We started this conversation in the spring and we want to continue it. So far we`ve heard from a small number of Canadians and we want to hear from more. We want to hear from you.

Here’s the list they gave us – what do you think?

Accountability

Fairness 

Equality

Inclusiveness

Easy to understand

Responsiveness

Transparent and Open

Please write and let us know if we’ve got it right. Are responsiveness, inclusiveness and participation important to you? What qualities are you looking for in your government? Are we missing anything?  Help us get beyond the horserace and the usual suspects and begin a conversation about what matters to you.  Let us know what qualities are important to you in a healthy democracy.