Empowering MLAs and the Legislature: What does it take

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Empowering MLAs and the Legislature What does it
take?

• Peter Dobell
• Founding Director, Canadian Parliamentary Centre
• March 25, 2004

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Why sudden interest in enhancing role of
legislatures and Parliamentarians?

• Loss of public respect, even trust
• Declining rates of voting
• Frustration of some private members
• Will changes address these conditions?

3
An aside PR will change some of the dynamics of
legislatures

• Unlikely to have majority governments
• Largest party usually obliged to collaborate with
  other parties
• It can be quite workable
• Other advantages

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Two different models of change to be considered

• Seek to change the culture of the legislature
  engage the opposition parties
• Take steps to increase the role of MLAs on the
  government side only

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Two steps to promote changing the culture of the
legislature

• Introduce various levels of voting discipline
• Organize a larger role for committees

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Various levels of voting discipline 3, 2, 1
line whipping

• Implications of different levels of voting
  discipline
• Opposition engagement and participation is needed
• Benefits of different levels of voting discipline
• Any special conditions?

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Larger role for committees

• Significant linkages with various levels of
  whipping
• Related measures that could strengthen committees
• Benefits that can be derived
• Special considerations
• Committee role in appointing officers reporting
  to the legislature

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Two steps to increase the role of private members
of the government party

• Increase the power of the government caucus
• Constrain the power of the premeir

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Increase the role of private members of the
government party

• A variety of possible practices
• Implications of these practices
• Can these measures be squared with changing the
  culture of the legislature?

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Practices that can constrain the powers of party
leaders

• British and Australian practices
• Potential benefits

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Concluding Reflections

• Role of private MLAs more rewarding applies only
  to government Members if opposition not engaged
• Legislation likely to be better adapted to
  community needs
• Increased public acceptance of legislation
• More respect for legislators
• A higher level of voting?

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