Ah yes, the Christmas season is a time for giving. And to help you with your last minute shopping, the Canadian Taxpayers Federation recommends four books that would make ideal gifts for your local MP.

Since we often criticize MPs for a lack of policy depth, we thought it only appropriate that - in the spirit of this holiday season - a list of must-read books should be compiled for their edification.

If MPs read just one book during the holidays, it should be Code Blue, written by Manitoba medical student David Gratzer (published by ECW Press, ISBN 1-55022-393-3). Gratzer convincingly argues that our health care system is not the "best in the world". Backed up by statistical data, he shows that the quality of care continues to decrease while waiting lines increase. Moreover, Mr. Gratzer expresses his displeasure at how the entire future of health care debate is dominated by the magicians and the spendthrifts.

The magicians believe that better management will solve the ills of the system while the spendthrifts believe that more money is the panacea for all the woes of health care. Gratzer points to medical savings accounts as a way to preserve quality care while addressing questions of affordability and intergenerational equity.

When it comes to health care, politicians and policy wonks alike are operating - pardon the pun - in a vacuum. Gratzer rightly points out that, for the most part, they have no idea of the demographic, utilization, physical plant and technological pressures to come.

Health care is the biggest policy challenge of the early 21st century and Gratzer's book is destined to become one of the seminal works and foundation pillars from which the emerging debate is constructed.

Another consistent issue on the public policy radar screen is that of institutional reform. In this subject area, two books deserve special mention.

First up is Making Every Count edited by Henry Milner (Broadview Press, ISBN 1-55111-256-6). This compendium of research papers from an eclectic mix of international authors is a "must have" for any serious student of electoral reform. It points to the glaring inadequacies of our current first-past-the-post voting system and offers solutions for change.

Arguments in favour of a variety of alternatives (alternative ballots, proportional representation, and mixed-member proportional) are just a few of the options considered. This book may also push the voting reform debate past simple post-election editorials to a more constant and recurring theme in Canadian political discourse.

The other book addressing institutional reform is Governing From the Centre (University of Toronto Press, ISBN 0-8020-8252-1). Noted academic Donald Savoie looks at the accumulation of power in Ottawa's so-called central agencies (Finance, Treasury Board, PMO and PCO).

It is perfect companion to Milner's book. Not only is reform needed in our electoral system but Savoie's analysis shows that it is equally necessary to restore some semblance of balance between the elected arm of government and the bureaucracy.

Finally, MPs would do well to receive a copy of Canada's Founding Debates (Stoddart, ISBN 0-7737-3214-4). This thick volume chronicles some of the most prescient political thought in our brief 132-year history as a nation.

From liberty to opportunity to identity to constitution making, the lessons of our founding politicians should be heeded as we tackle the problems that the 21st century presents to us.

Of course these books just aren't for MPs, they would make great gifts for anyone concerned about the future of Canada.