Vee Gandhi Flyer Section 1
Support the Coalition of Independent Candidates:
Real Representation for Canada
By Vee Gandhi, Independent Candidate for Nepean Riding
Across Canada, trust in traditional political parties is at an all-time low. According to the Edelman Trust Barometer 2023, only 36% of Canadians trust government leaders to tell the truth and do what is right [1]. This decline in trust is directly linked to a growing awareness among Canadians that party politics stifles true democratic representation. It’s time to move beyond the party whip system and support a Coalition of Independent Candidates who answer to the people—not to political bosses.
The Problem with Party Politics: Blind Obedience to the Whip
In Canada’s current system, Members of Parliament (MPs) affiliated with political parties are often forced to vote along party lines—even when it goes against the wishes of their constituents. This is enforced by the party whip, a mechanism that ensures MPs support the party’s agenda under threat of expulsion or loss of privileges.
The late John Pepall, author of Against Reform, observed:
“The power of party whips in Canada is nearly absolute… MPs rarely speak or vote against their party without consequences.” [2]
This undermines the very foundation of a representative democracy. When MPs act as mere agents of their party, Canadians are left without a voice in Parliament.
A Rising Alternative: Independent Candidates
Independent candidates are not tied to party platforms. They can vote based on conscience, facts, and the needs of their constituents. They represent local priorities, not party strategies designed in Ottawa.
The House of Commons has already seen the positive impact of independent voices, such as Jody Wilson-Raybould, who was expelled from the Liberal Party in 2019 and served as an independent MP. In her farewell speech, she stated:
“Independents in Parliament are essential to strengthening democracy… to breaking down hyper-partisanship and putting people before politics.” [3]
The Coalition of Independents: Uniting Without Central Control
The Coalition of Independent Candidates is not a political party—it is a federation of like-minded individuals committed to defending civil liberties, national sovereignty, and real local representation. Each candidate runs under their own name, makes their own decisions, and answers only to their constituents.
This model has precedent. In the UK, Martin Bell, an independent MP, won a landslide in 1997 by rejecting party ties and vowing to stand for integrity. In Canada, Brent Rathgeber, who left the Conservative Party in 2013, explained:
“Party discipline has become so strict that it negates the ability of MPs to act as legislators or ombudsman for their constituents.” [4]
Canadians Want Change
Polling by Abacus Data found that 67% of Canadians believe MPs should vote based on what is best for their ridings, even if that means opposing their party [5]. This sentiment reflects a deep desire for authentic, accountable, and localized leadership.
Conclusion: Vote Independent, Vote Free
Canadians deserve better than scripted speeches, whipped votes, and party-line obedience. They deserve a Parliament filled with independent thinkers, not party loyalists. The Coalition of Independent Candidates offers a credible and powerful alternative—a way to restore democracy from the ground up.
If you believe in truth, transparency, and true representation, support your local independent candidate. Canada belongs to the people—not the parties.
References:
[1] Edelman Trust Barometer 2023 (Canada Results)
https://www.edelman.ca/sites/g/files/aatuss376/files/2023-03/2023%20Edelman%20Trust%20Barometer%20EN.pdf
[2] John Pepall, Against Reform, University of Toronto Press, 2010
https://books.google.ca/books/about/Against_Reform.html?id=_rnniB6P5RUC&redir_esc=y
[3] Jody Wilson-Raybould, Resignation Letter SNC Lavalin
https://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/article/read-the-full-resignation-letter-from-jody-wilson-raybould/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkDweZcSO-E
[4] Brent Rathgeber, Irresponsible Government: The Decline of Parliamentary Democracy in Canada, Dundurn Press, 2014. https://archive.org/details/irresponsiblegov0000rath
[5] Abacus Data Poll, "Canadians Want MPs to Represent Them, Not Just Their Party", 2020