Dear Editor:

In the Opinion Column, The Sun Times (October 16, 2019) responds to the potential prospect of a coalition Government in Canada. Under the heading, “Coalition not the Way in Canada” the paper warns with strong words that such a formation would be undemocratic, that Canadians should be alarmed, and that the term for such a “plot” would be a “coup”. It is true coalitions are unusual in Canada, although there were provincial coalition governments in the past, but that doesn’t mean they are not a viable democratic option now.

Most democratic countries around the world regularly form coalition governments, and they generally seem to be doing quite well and nobody questions their legitimacy or democratic process. In fact all northern European countries like Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark etc. are regarded as highly democratic countries with stable governments, outstanding living standards, and a great track records on social justice, education and climate change action. Coalitions are highly democratic because they reflect the electorate more than a majority government or a government ruled by one party. They represent a wider spectrum of popular opinions, ideologies and political platforms. Coalition governments demand consensus-based political dialogue because the partners must work together and they need to negotiate in order to govern.

We are at a critical junction in our history. Our world is facing a climate emergency, which requires complex decisions and actions. The tasks ahead are on scales that are enormous and unfamiliar compared with the realities of the past political discourse. Therefore we need a government with a wide range of environmental, Indigenous, social justice, health and economic proficiency, vision, will to change as well as passion and courage. A coalition between Canada’s progressive parties may just be part of the much-needed approach to pave a new way for Canada.

Joachim Ostertag