Are the present rules in Canada’s Parliament grotesquely unfair?

The New Democratic Party wants Canadians to think so.

The NDP suffered a crushing blow in April’s federal election, losing more than two-thirds of its seats and official party status to boot.

Ever since, the party’s leaders have been trying to convince Prime Minister Mark Carney to bend the rules and allow the party to regain official party status.

As of today, a party in the House of Commons needs at least 12 seats to qualify as an ofiicial party. The NDP’s interim leader, Don Davies, wants to see Carney lower the threshold so the NDP’s seven-member caucus can qualify.

“If he wants this Parliament to work and he wants to do anything progressive, he’s going to have to reach out to New Democrats,” said Davies. “It’s up to the Liberals.”

“Reaching out” means more than just a phone call. For Davies, it........

© Edmonton Sun