Opinion polls often speak out loud what we think in secret. Ipsos Reid’s latest incursion into the mindset of the population for the media conglomerate, Postmedia, reveals – or should I say confirms – that Canadians have little confidence in their politicians.
The perception we have of them doesn’t surprise me, yet it saddens me. Far be it for me to try to convince you that they really don’t merit that kind of attitude. Quite to the contrary. But, although I do understand the feeling, I don’t necessarily share it.
For example: Ipsos Reid tells us that the quasi totality of surveyed people, around 95%, think that federal politicians have little to nothing in common with the average Canadian. That finding floored me. After all, before becoming politicians, many federal MPs were themselves what we would consider regular Canadians. However, I am the first to believe that they brought their sad fate upon themselves.
Take, for example, the case of departing cabinet minister Bev Oda. By herself, she certainly embodies the image that people have of politicians. Her extravagant tastes while on official visits have been widely publicized. We all remember her $16 glass of orange juice. That’s the kind of thing that irks people.
The poll’s results should really worry us since they show that such a breach of confidence is fodder for our growing cynicism in matters of politics.
The poll’s results should really worry us since they show that such a breach of confidence is fodder for our growing cynicism in politics matters. Unfortunately, it paves the way to a generalized disinterest on the part of most people, as shown by the tragically poor participation rate during general elections.
We must admit that the political class has the bad habit of doing nothing to help its cause. The mechanism that animates political dynamics has an increasingly American flavour. That is to say that it relies on division, inspired by ideology. And when we look at what’s going on south of the border, nothing comes up to give us hope that a wind of change is about to stimulate, positively, Canadians’ views of their own politicians.
The increasing use of negative political messages with an aim to first and foremost paint a poor picture of the opponent rather than promote innovative ideas is certainly not converse to our own situation. That is one of several obvious reasons, which, for me, has caused this loss of confidence, as confirmed by the survey.
Canadians are indeed constantly bombarded by political ads subtly slamming their adversaries. It is therefore not surprising that voters are confused and slightly disgusted by all things political. Unfortunately, too often, democracy becomes the main victim of this confusion.
Participation rates alone tell just how much of a beating it has taken these past few years.
A sharp change of tactics is needed in politics to rectify the situation. The ball is in their court.
Translation Monique Kroeger
