Academics have long lamented the decline of liberal democracy in Alberta and elsewhere. Experts debate the extent of the backsliding. Commentators warn about authoritarian drift. Many, including this author, blame far-right populists for the decline in civil discourse and the erosion of democratic norms.
If polls are any indication, most Albertans tune it out. Democratic renewal is never at the top of their list of concerns. The provincial government faces no sustained or widespread backlash from the public as they continue to remove checks and balances on their power.
This is not because Albertans don't care. Rather, it is because the conversation isn't held in their language. It's too abstract. And the volume and pace of democratic transgressions only increase in the meantime.
Every day brings a new outrage, a new controversy, a new fight. This is part of a flood-the-zone strategy meant to disorient, distract, and discourage opponents and a weary public.
When people get overwhelmed, they stop evaluating politics both piece by piece and from a broader perspective. In this context, it becomes harder to tell what's normal and what's democratically dangerous. Many Albertans simply tune out of politics. Others turn to partisan cues to determine whether things are headed in the right direction.
This presents a challenge to anyone dedicated to stalling the decline of liberal democracy in Alberta. If we want to cut through the noise, we need to start with simpler questions that take us back to the basics of democracy in this province. What are the core rules of the game, and are they being broken?
Below is a simple rule book that gives Albertans a clear way to judge what they're seeing. It is based on the most foundational principles that underpin liberal democracy — the line in the sand when it comes to distinguishing a healthy democracy from one that's in danger.
Rule No. 1: Everyone Plays by the Same Rules
When those in power decide the rules apply differently to themselves and their friends, democracy is at risk. In Alberta, we've seen:
- Selective respect for constitutional limits, most notably through the Sovereignty Act;
- Questions about political interference in court cases (the Artur Pawlowski affair);
- From campaign finance and redistricting to petitions and access to information, rules are being changed midstream when they fail to produce the outcomes the government seeks.
Rule No. 2: Government Must Be Accountable
Democracy means preventing the consolidation of power in the hands of a few. This requires checks and balances on the premier, including the separation of powers and federalism. It also means protecting free and fair elections. That accountability is under strain in Alberta:
- Government-side MLAs are abdicating their responsibility to hold the government to account by routinely applying time allocation to cut short debate on even the most consequential bills;
- Pre-emptive use of the notwithstanding clause has prevented the courts from weighing in on breaches of Albertans' Charter rights and freedoms.
- Watchdogs like Elections Alberta and the election commissioner have been weakened;
- Through voter ID laws and a revamped process for redrawing electoral boundaries, the government appears more interested in choosing its voters than allowing voters to choose the next government.
These trends, if left unchecked, threaten the very foundations of democracy in Alberta. It is time for citizens to engage with these basic rules and hold their leaders accountable.
