The 180

Should Canada be more open to coalition governments?

A new polls suggests more Canadians might consider supporting a coalition in Parliament. We explore the history of coalitions in Canada, and hear one political scientist's democracy hack for making coalitions clearer.
In this photo from Dec. 1, 2008, New Democratic Party leader Jack Layton, Liberal leader Stephane Dion, and Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe, left to right, talk to the media after signing a coalition deal amongst their three parties to form a coalition government. Instead, the parliament was prorogued at the request of Prime Minister Stephen Harper. (The Canadian Press)

A new poll suggests that more Canadians might be willing to consider a coalition government than the last time the prospect was raised, in 2008.

On this episode we hear more about the history of coalitions in Canada, and we get another democracy hack suggestion related to the topic.

Political scientist Lori Turnbull says coalitions can cause uncertainty because, like many of the daily workings of our government, there are no hard and fast guidelines for parties and politicians to follow.

Her suggestion for making democracy work better: Write down the rules!