Parliamentary Ethics: Should Canadian MPs Be More Independent?
This session will explore the growing tension between Canada’s elected Members of Parliament and the expanding power of the Prime Minister’s Office and executive branch. Many observers argue that MPs have become overly constrained by party discipline, communications control, and the centralization of decision-making in Ottawa. Others maintain that a cohesive executive is essential for responsible government.
Key Questions:
- Has the PMO become too dominant in shaping MPs’ work and votes?
- What reforms could strengthen the independence and ethical responsibility of MPs?
- Are existing parliamentary ethics rules sufficient to promote accountability and integrity?
- How can MPs better represent constituents rather than party hierarchies?
Format:
A one-hour moderated discussion at Massey College (and livestreamed via YouTube), featuring current and former parliamentarians, political journalists, and ethics scholars.
Purpose:
To assess whether Canada’s Parliament can regain balance between executive efficiency and democratic accountability—and to identify practical reforms for a more independent and ethical legislature.
The session will examine the growing centralization of political power in the Prime Minister’s Office and its impact on the independence, accountability, and ethical responsibilities of Members of Parliament.
The format will be a one-hour moderated discussion, followed by audience questions and livestream.
Moderator Thomas S Axworthy, Public Policy Chair, Massey college.
MASSEY MEMBERS: Please login using your registered Massey email to receive applicable discounts and offers.
Speakers
-
Sabreena DelhonVisiting Fellow; Executive Director, Samara Centre for DemocracySabreena Delhon is the Executive Director of the Samara Centre for Democracy. She has over a decade of experience directing multi-stakeholder research and outreach initiatives that have made an impact across justice, academic, and non-profit sectors. Sabreena has appeared as an expert witness before Parliamentary committees on matters relating to political participation and frequently provides commentary about democratic engagement for various media outlets such as the Globe & Mail, CBC Radio and the Toronto Star. She is the host of Humans of the House, a podcast that explores the lived experience of former Members of Parliament.
Sabreena previously held senior roles at the Law Society of Ontario and advised non-profit leaders on how to increase engagement with target audiences. She is a Fellow with Simon Fraser University’s Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue and Massey College. Sabreena holds a BA in Sociology from the University of Alberta and an MA in Sociology from Dalhousie University. She is on the board of the Provocation Ideas Festival.
-
Dennis Mills
Former member of Parliament, author of From the Wood Chair to the Green Chair
-
Arvind Krishendehol
Junior Fellow, Massey College, Doctoral Candidate in Political Science
