The Samara Centre for Democracy surveys Canada’s Members of Parliament (MPs) on current democratic issues.
The 2020 MP Survey provided an early opportunity to systematically hear from federal political representatives in Canada on the democratic pressures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly 40% of MPs anonymously shared their experiences of the new challenges they faced in their constituencies, how they thought Parliament was performing, and whether they believed an appropriate balance had been struck between oversight and expediency in the legislative process.
This report examines MPs’ experiences staying connected with their constituents during the early period of the pandemic, and finds some cross-partisan agreement—along with deep divisions—regarding how the House of Commons should uphold its fundamental democratic functions during the pandemic. It also presents recommendations to sustain representative democracy throughout this time.
The Samara Centre for Democracy surveys Canada’s Members of Parliament (MPs) on current democratic issues.
The 2020 MP Survey provided an early opportunity to systematically hear from federal political representatives in Canada on the democratic pressures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly 40% of MPs anonymously shared their experiences of the new challenges they faced in their constituencies, how they thought Parliament was performing, and whether they believed an appropriate balance had been struck between oversight and expediency in the legislative process.
This report examines MPs’ experiences staying connected with their constituents during the early period of the pandemic, and finds some cross-partisan agreement—along with deep divisions—regarding how the House of Commons should uphold its fundamental democratic functions during the pandemic. It also presents recommendations to sustain representative democracy throughout this time.