Power and Influence in Canada - Where is it and Who Has it?

Politics does not make good dinner conversation, especially when at your girlfriend's parents' place. But somehow the local municipal elections came up, and I found myself defending a position that I don't actually hold: that it doesn't matter who I vote for. It doesn't matter, because voting doesn't really do anything -- the system doesn't really work.

In Canada, who does have the power?, and how does someone like me go about trying to get something changed? I actually don't really know. But as I suspected by my impromptu (and poorly received) position at the dinner table, power and influence in Canada has changed. In order to be a good citizen, you need to know how it has changed, or you'll remain on the sidelines. Or, so says, Donald Savoie on The Agenda [video].

It's a fascinating discussion about how power has shifted in Canada over the last thirty years. Savoie talks about specifically Canadian things and even gets right down to key decisions made by the Federal government that have led to the decrease in the power of the MPs. His understanding of the historical context in Canada, along with wider forces, make his views refreshing.

Steve Paitkin, in his consummately professional manner, guides the interview from notes taken on Savoie's new book, Power, Where Is It? Worth checking out. Watch Now >>