Foreword

• Author: Gregory Tardi
• Pages: 13-14

xi

Foreword

In the Canadian system of Democracy, Parliament is the focal point

of the state. It is the assembly that deliberates the country’s great

policy issues. It is also the institution that enacts the legislation

that applies to the entire citizenry. Most importantly, Parliament

is the sole body that can legitimately hold to account the govern-

ment of the country. It perpetuates the link of legitimacy between

citizen- voters and lawmakers. ese are enormous responsibilities.

As the Canadian Parliament, what the Senate and the House of

Commons do to fulf‌ill their respective roles is serious, methodical,

and in many respects, continuous from one election to another. To

those not actively participating, it may seem complicated, perhaps

even distant from daily concerns, but quite to the contrary, Parlia-

ment is always relevant.

e question whether the public information about — and cit-

izen knowledge of — Parliament rises to the level of its importance

for all of society must be addressed. Regrettably, both information

and knowledge are inadequate. e fact that public education is a

domain of responsibility dispersed among the provinces and terri-

tories results in the te aching of widely diverse views about govern-

ment. e fact that educational agendas must make time available

for more current issues results in the overall decline of attention

to governmental institutions and processes. Moreover, in an age