Getting beyond extreme political partisanship

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 06/03/2023 (1250 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Political contexts in Canada today are increasingly known for an extreme, unyielding partisanship that often overrides the general interests of the electorate or the positive functioning of governments.

Compromise is ruled out in favour of one-upmanship. Personal insults overshadow clearly articulated policy positions. Citizens are called upon to choose sides, as opposed to ideals, as government leaders play to their bases, as opposed to the general population.

It is a sad comment on, and bodes ill for, the possibility that democratic ideals of equality and inclusion will rise to the surface.

It doesn’t have to be this way, and it’s not that difficult to imagine different practices resulting in more promising and helpful relationships, arrangements and structures. While I would prefer a non-partisan system where people would be chosen on the basis of their public values, beliefs and commitments rather than party affiliation, a few minor changes would go a long way to overcoming stark party divides.

For example, what if governments made sincere attempts to be open with the opposition, ensuring they had all the same information the party in power possessed, rather than making them dig it out for themselves? This idea would be founded on the belief that all elected representatives have the right to be able to fully participate in informed decision-making affecting their constituencies, provinces and the country.

Sharing it with citizens locally would also enhance their chances of informed participation.

What if, when the prime minister arranged a visit to an Indigenous community, he invited members of the other parties in Parliament to accompany him, particularly those within the constituency where the First Nations was located?

It would allow locally elected representatives and opposition leaders to also publicly throw their support behind Indigenous initiatives. It would demonstrate to everyone that reconciliation is a right and responsibility, and in the interest, of every party and every Canadian — that it is too serious to be turned into a game of exclusion and one-upmanship.

What if, when the premier of Manitoba, in planning a delegation to recruit nurses in the Philippines, included in the delegation representatives of the NDP and Liberal parties, Indigenous leaders, doctors and nurses, and their unions?

Surely the crisis in health care is a matter of concern for all parties, all Manitobans and the people the new nurses would be dealing with. Inviting others along need not prevent the ruling party from having the final say on any action arising from the visit.

What if, in all cases of extreme tragedy or major natural disasters, all federal and provincial parties united to express their collective sympathy, pledge their support, and commit to healing and restoration, instead of a prime minister and premier attending separately or alone?

In my view, their travelling together and appearing together would send a strong message that this is a concern for everyone, not just the party in power. And it might just reduce the personal accusations, insults and put-downs, it being harder to malign somebody standing right beside you. Not every exceptional happening needs to be seen as an opportunity for potential partisan advantage.

Here, the onus for taking these kinds of steps and inviting joint action and participation is clearly on the parties currently in power. They do have a greater capacity and responsibility for action and share a greater accountability for outcomes or consequences of those actions. My guess is that acting in solidarity with their political challengers would, in fact, garner parties more acceptance and support, and greatly reduce the current viciousness and hurtfulness associated with extreme political difference and divisiveness.

In the same vein, political parties acting together have the potential to reduce the current anti-government sentiments, public blame and citizen cynicism that prevail in their exchanges in the media and social media.

The final piece in this argument is that we citizens need to be openly and forcibly clear that this is what we want from our politicians and political parties. We want the people we elect locally to be able to represent us fully while they are afforded the opportunity to participate knowledgeably in the affairs of the province or country.

Most of us want our politicians to address our major concerns, such as environmental degradation, justice for Indigenous peoples, homes for the homeless, public education and universal health care, instead of fighting with each other for votes.

John R. Wiens is dean emeritus at the faculty of education, University of Manitoba. A lifelong educator, he has served as a teacher, counsellor, work education co-ordinator, principal, school superintendent and university professor.