{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/6516db58c8d4ce0011023666/6aad2803315471999bd57521?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"LeDrew Rant: Maybe Canadians Need More Power — And Politicians Less","description":"<p>In this LeDrew rant, Stephen LeDrew argues that Canada needs more accountability, more public participation and far more scrutiny of the people elected to govern.</p><p><br></p><p>Pointing to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s push for faster project approvals and citizen-initiated votes, LeDrew asks whether Canadians should have more direct ways to influence government between elections.</p><p><br></p><p>That could include referendums on major issues — or even recall mechanisms when politicians fail to deliver on important promises.</p><p><br></p><p>LeDrew also argues that Canadians themselves need to take politics more seriously: looking beyond personality, asking tougher questions about policy and understanding what politicians actually plan to do once elected.</p><p><br></p><p>He says Canada has suffered from years of poor federal governance, excessive bureaucracy and too little accountability — and argues that both politicians and the media should face much tougher scrutiny.</p><p><br></p><p>The bigger question: should Canadians have more power to hold governments accountable before the next election arrives?</p><p><br></p><p>Topics Covered:</p><ul><li>Political accountability in Canada</li><li>Recall elections</li><li>Citizen-initiated referendums</li><li>Danielle Smith’s approach in Alberta</li><li>Cutting bureaucracy and regulation</li><li>Holding politicians to their promises</li><li>Voter responsibility</li><li>Personality versus public policy</li><li>Trudeau’s impact on the Liberal Party</li><li>Independent media and political scrutiny</li></ul><p><br></p>","author_name":"Stephen LeDrew"}