I was pleased indeed to read about the agreement between the Liberals and the NDP to create a stable government until 2025. This will be the first time in almost 40 years that we will have a federal government that represents a majority of the voters. One might almost think we have a democracy. Together the two parties won a slim majority of the vote in the 2021 election.

The typical result of federal elections is a party gaining power with 40 percent or less of the popular vote. Often much less. In the last two elections, the Liberals formed a government with the support of barely a third of the electorate.

It isn’t a coalition but it might just as well be. The parties have made specific promises and many parts of the agreement include specific deadlines.

And many of the promises are very good ones. They include concluding the current day care program—the most important social program in decades—as well as adding pharmacare and dental care for middle and low-income Canadians to Medicare. The government will also extend the rapid housing program, a much-needed initiative.

“It’s about focusing on what we agree on, instead of what we disagree on,” said the prime minister. This is, of course, what parties should always be doing. and I have no doubt exactly what Canadians want from their politicians. It will bring stability to the federal government, allowing it to focus on getting things done, something else I believe Canadians would like to see.

Waiting 40 years is much too long for a government that truly represents a majority of the voting public. It could be the rule rather than the exception if we rejected our undemocratic first-past-the-post voting system and opted instead for a proportional system adapted to the particular needs of this country.

That may be some time in coming. In the meantime, let’s just enjoy a government that gives us a taste of what could be.