The Sunday Magazine

The politics of fear; The failed promise of digital democracy; What's next if no party gets a majority?

The impact of the F-word on the election campaign - Michael's essay: It might be wisest to be afraid of fear itself. Impressions after 11 weeks of electioneering: Four Canadians share their frustrations with this exceptionally long campaign and explain why they see it as a lost opportunity. The promise and perils of digital democracy: In his documentary “Tools of the Game”, Ira Basen looks at the promise and perils of digital democracy. Exploring the “what if” scenarios, after the votes are counted: Who will be prime minister and which party will govern, may not be clear following this election. Constitutional expert Peter Russell weighs in.

The impact of the F-word on the election campaign - Michael's essay:

"Fear can freeze us into inaction. We can become paralyzed, not knowing which way to turn. Fears can be rational and irrational. It is natural to be afraid of flying debris in a hurricane. It is irrational to be afraid of rectal probes by aliens."

What didn't you hear?​  Four diverse women from across the country reflect on the campaign and look ahead to Canada's post-election future. Michael's guests are:

       Eve-Lyne Couturier, Researcher at IRIS, a research think-tank in Montreal (Institut de recherche de d'informations socio-économiques)

      Angela Robertson, Executive Director of Queen West -- Central Toronto Community Health Centres

      Pam Palmater, Chair for Indigenous Governance at Ryerson University 

      Ruth Kelly, President and CEO of Venture Publishing and Editor-in-Chief of Venture and Alberta Oil magazines.

An Ira Basen documentary - Tools of the Game: Our navigator of the worldwide web, Ira Basen, looks at the promise and the perils of digital democracy. What happened to the dream that the internet would bring power to the people?

What if, and what's next? One of this country's most respected experts on parliamentary democracy, Peter Russell, spells out the rules that will guide the actions of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Governor General David Johnston if no party emerges from the election with a majority of seats. Russell says many Canadians take their cues from American politics and don't know the basics of parliamentary democracy.