Albertans often complain about federal politics - and with good reason. In the past 40 years Canada's Parliament had been slowly stripped of its powers. Today most MPs simply obey the Prime Minister. Debates are largely irrelevant. The outcomes of votes are a foregone conclusion. Free votes are non-existent. The Prime Minister picks the Senators, the Supreme Court judges, and the federal election date, which is most advantageous to him politically.

But what about Alberta's Legislature When was the last time that MLAs debated a significant bill inside Alberta's Legislature and the outcome of the vote on that bill was uncertain

Alberta's MLAs cannot be held accountable, because only they themselves know how they voted inside the Government Caucus, and in meetings of Standing Policy Committees on which only Government MLAs serve. Having been developed and decided behind closed doors, policies are presented to the Legislature as a done deal - and then duly voted through. Taxpayers don't have the chance to hear the arguments for and against these policies, or to know how their MLA voted. Transparency and accountability are the missing elements of democracy in Alberta today, just like in Ottawa federally.

However, the door is open to Albertans to continue pressing their MLAs for the right to initiate and vote in referendums on important issues. A 2001 Environics poll revealed that 79% of Albertans want this kind of direct democracy legislation, which provides citizens in Switzerland, Italy, New Zealand, British Columbia, and 23 American states with greater accountability. Citizens' initiative provides accountability by empowering taxpayers with a direct say on issues that affect them.

Albertans should also press their MLAs for taxpayer protection legislation, which 83% of Albertans want, according to a 2002 JMCK poll. Currently in Alberta, politicians can increase taxes at any time for any reason, even if this breaks an unequivocal pre-election promise, like Premier Klein promising us that "the only way taxes are going is down." Taxpayer protection legislation would require tax increases (and new taxes) to be approved by voters before taking effect. This would force politicians to explain and justify proposed tax increases to those who must pay the bills.

Citizens' initiative legislation and taxpayer protection legislation would go a long ways towards curing Alberta's democratic deficit. Alberta should lead by example with other reforms as well: fixed dates for elections; free votes in the Legislature on all bills; and allowing MLAs of all parties to serve on Standing Policy Committees (not just Government MLAs, as is the case now).

Actions speak louder than words. If Albertans don't practice democratic accountability themselves in their own Legislature, how can they demand (or expect) real reform in Ottawa

Premier Klein might continue to ignore the four fifths of Albertans who want citizens' initiative legislation and taxpayer protection legislation. But Albertans have the final say at the ballot box. A government which rejects transparency and accountability can be rejected by voters.

A healthy and vibrant democracy in Alberta - with real transparency and real accountability - will put some real pressure on Ottawa to clean up its act as well.