Albertans concerned about health of democracy in the province

Catholic New Times, Jan 4, 2004

EDMONTON -- A report released today by the Parkland Institute finds that Albertans are concerned about the health of democracy in the province. Despite the fact that a majority of Albertans feel that the provincial economy is healthy, only 40 per cent of those surveyed felt that democracy in the province was in a healthy state.

The report, entitled "Trouble in Paradise? Citizens' Views on Democracy in Alberta," uses data from the 2003 Alberta Survey to examine Albertans' attitudes to the state of democracy in the province.

Among the report's other major findings are the following:

* A majority of Albertans feel that the environment and the education and health care systems in the province are not in a healthy state.

* A majority of Albertans feel that big business and the media have too much influence on the provincial government, and that the traditional "special interest groups" like unions, environmentalists and women's groups do not.

* Six out of 10 Albertans agree that protest groups are an important part of democracy.

* Four out of five Albertans favour limits on election spending, while roughly half agree with direct voting on political issues (referenda), proportional representation, and provisions for recalling elected members.

* Half of Albertans agree with the statement "The Alberta government hides a lot of information from the people of the province."

Dr. Harvey Krahn, sociology professor at the University of Alberta and one of the report's authors, suggests that the report should provide something of a wake-up call. "If only 40 per cent of us felt that our families were healthy, certainly we would be taking drastic steps to change the way we look after ourselves and our families," said Krahn. Website: www.ualberta.ca/ parkland.