About the Project: Volume I
From 2008 to 2011, the Samara Centre for Democracy conducted the first ever systematic series of exit interviews with former Members of Parliament. In total, 80 interviews took place in the homes and communities of former Members of Parliament who sat in the 38th, 39th and 40th Parliament. The discussions formed the basis of a series of research reports and the best-selling book Tragedy in the Commons. This research has been cited by academics over 60 times and is informing the work of current MPs—the book has been referenced in Parliamentary debates and it helped inform the creation of the Reform Act.
Exit interviews are a tool used by the corporate world to capture experience and learn what worked well and what could work better. Samara believes this practice should be applied to transform Canadian politics.
This Time: Volume II
With the exit cohort from the 41st Parliament accumulating over 400 years of collective parliamentary experience, we revisited the exit interview process in 2017 with new questions, new themes, and new results. Like last time, we travelled across the country and spoke with over 50 former MPs from across the political spectrum. This research is being captured in a series of three reports that make a case for MPs who are independent and empowered, thoughtful and engaged in three environments: Parliament, the constituency, and the party.
The first report in the series, Flip the Script, proposes ways to empower MPs to directly influence law and policy, and carefully scrutinize the Government on Parliament Hill. The second report, Beyond the Barbecue, offers a new vision for what the job of the MP should be in the constituency. The final report, The Real House Lives, focuses on political parties and how to strengthen the role of MPs in an age of extreme partisanship.
We want to continue to build this national archive—to create an historic record for future scholars, parliamentarians, and citizens—and compare how practices and norms change over time, exploring new topics and challenges along the way.
How you can help
We want this project to spark a larger public conversation: sign up to Samara’s newsletter and follow us on Twitter and Facebook for updates and opportunities to get involved.
Samara’s work relies on the generous support of our donors and funders. Please consider joining us in making the MP Exit Interview project into a legacy for future leaders and citizens by making a donation today. You can donate online.
If you have questions about the project, please contact Mike Morden at [email protected] or 416-960-7930.
"Participating in Samara’s Exit Interviews was a really positive experience; it was also a chance to continue to have an impact, in a different but useful way."
-Paddy Torsney, Former MP