Those four foundations provide plenty of room for Canadians of good will and shared values to find a way to give this country a realistic choice in the next election. We have begun some significant steps in that direction. Members of my Parliamentary caucus have met with members of the Canadian Alliance caucus to discuss public issues on which we could effectively work together in Parliament - issues such as agriculture, and parliamentary reform. If deftly handled, these careful steps could make Canadian politics competitive again. The consequences, if we do not succeed, are very serious.
Parliament lacks legitimacy because it has been neutered.
The Government lacks legitimacy because its power is both unchallenged and suspect. The Opposition parties lack legitimacy because we have not found a way to shake the dominance of the Liberal government. As a nation, we must solve these problems. Citizens must help with the solutions. As Rotarians, you have an interest, and a commitment to public service, that can help lead the way.