Politicians, legislatures and parliament are widely mistrusted. Canadians do not see their issues and concerns reflected in the priorities of the people elected to serve them. The rise of populism is one symptom of discontent. Others are low voter turnouts and an increasingly vicious public sphere. It is time for Canadians to repair and strengthen their democracy. It is time to Do Something!
In this riveting and inspirational book, author and parliamentarian Preston Manning calls on Canadians of all beliefs and allegiances to renew their nation's democracy and the ideas, processes, and institutions that support it. Drawing on a lifetime of public service, he offers 365 practical ways that people can get involved and make a difference, in their communities and on the national stage.
There is an old saying, writes Manning, "that a Canadian optimist is someone who believes things could be worse. But I am an optimist who believes the future can be better if enough of us resolve to make it so."
This is a book that can't be rushed. I had to go back and re-read some parts that were of interest. We all know that apathy is a growing trend in Canadian politics. The question addressed in this book is how can we engage voters, and in particular, young voters, in politics. There are many useful suggestions in this book and the author adds many interesting personal anecdotes from his lengthy experience in the political arena. His take on China and the Chinese Communist Party was of particular interest given recent events. My only negative comment is that Mr. Manning appears to put a lot of stock on think tanks and executives both in the public and private sectors. In my opinion, these groups have shown little progress in engaging the ordinary citizen as they live in a world far removed from the daily problems of ordinary Canadians.