Some would argue that manners are a vestige from the past, and are not necessary in our modern, technology-driven world. I disagree. Manners are standards of social demeanour that exhibit one’s civility and decorum. They provide society with a code of unenforced yet accepted rules to promote communal harmony, and grant us a simple way to express respect towards each other. This courtesy is what separates humans from other members of the animal kingdom. Read More
Canada is well into our federal election campaign, which came about after the opposition parties united to adopt a motion of “non-confidence” against the minority Conservative Party government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Voting takes place on the 2nd of May 2011.
Canada follows the British model of parliamentary democracy. Thus we do not get to vote directly for Mr Harper, Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff or NDP chief Jack Layton unless we happen to live in their particular riding. Citizens may vote for the official local party candidate of our choice for Member of Parliament (MP) to the House of Commons. The party winning the most number of ridings or “seats” in the House (regardless of total national popular vote) has the opportunity to form a government. Read More