Canadian Democracy Needs Active Citizens and Better Government

Canadians must become more active citizens while demanding that governments address the economic grievances feeding political polarization, political scientist Stewart Prest says.

In an interview with Energi Media’s Markham Hislop, Prest argued that democratic resilience depends on participation, reliable information and institutions that respond to people’s needs. Alberta separatism provided the starting point for a broader discussion of threats facing Canadian democracy.

Prest described the referendum outcome discussed in the interview as an encouraging rejection of separatist pressure, with roughly three quarters of voters opposing further movement down that road. He cautioned against overlooking that support for Canada while considering the divisions that remain.

“Democracy has proved to be a very resilient set of governance institutions,” he said.

Political distrust has long existed, Prest explained. What has changed is the ability of people who distrust institutions to find one another and organize through digital information networks. Traditional media no longer exercise the gatekeeping power they once held.

The result is a Canadian expression of a wider international problem, he said, with information circulating across borders and competing communities relying on different sources to understand political events.

Citizen Withdrawal Leaves More Room for Extremes

Prest warned that disengagement can give the most committed political actors greater influence. People with busy lives may retreat when politics becomes unpleasant, leaving more space for those determined to keep fighting.

“If you value your citizenship as it currently exists, then you have to exercise it,” he said.

His recommendations included calling MPs and MLAs, writing personal letters, participating in peaceful demonstrations and supporting candidates. He also encouraged Canadians to consider running for office themselves.

Participation should remain civil. Making political life intolerable discourages people from seeking office, Prest said, potentially leaving the field to more extreme voices. He opposed treating people as illegitimate members of society simply because of political disagreement.

Economic Grievances Require Government Action

Prest also argued that democratic institutions need to address the material problems that make anti-establishment appeals attractive. Economic insecurity and persistent unmet needs provide political entrepreneurs with grievances they can redirect toward institutions or outsiders.

He identified homelessness, addiction and inadequate access to mental health services as examples of problems requiring sustained government attention. Broader economic gains also need to reach Canadians, he said.

For governments seeking corporate and foreign investment, the test is whether resulting growth and productivity deliver tangible benefits to the population. Investment that primarily rewards capital without addressing public needs risks generating further discontent, he warned.

Prest favoured civic literacy and better access to contextualized facts as responses to misinformation. He also supported structured discussions where citizens can question journalists, academics and policy specialists, including about issues for which clear answers remain unavailable.

His message extended beyond Alberta: defending democracy requires a common political community capable of disagreement, alongside practical efforts to solve persistent problems.

“We need to solve these problems, or it’s going to be the source of future grievances and future debates over the future of the country,” he said in the interview.

End Notes

1. Source: Energi Media interview with Stewart Prest, supplied transcript, 00:00–26:10.
2. Related reporting: Frank Graves Warns of Radical Populism in Canada; Canada Must Draw a Clear Line Against Foreign Support for Separatism.