Hub Podcasts It's time to downsize the House of Commons
Nov 20, 2025
Richard Shimooka, a defense policy writer, delves into Canada's fighter jet procurement, highlighting potential pitfalls in choosing the wrong aircraft. He critiques the Saab Gripen-E's capability, claiming it can't compete with the F-35 and dismisses its job creation promises as misleading. He underscores the risks of a mixed fleet, suggesting it could hinder Canada’s defense credibility. The discussion also touches on the importance of choosing a fifth-generation fighter for national security, backed by military leaders.
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House Size Has Grown Too Large
- Canada currently has 343 MPs, a number much higher than historic norms and comparable countries.
- Mark Johnson argues this bloated size reduces efficiency and increases coordination costs across government.
More MPs, More Centralized Power
- More MPs haven't translated into greater check on the prime minister and may increase centralization of power in the PMO.
- Johnson says the swelling of MPs paradoxically boosted the need for centralized control, not legislative independence.
Candidate Recruitment Is Strained
- Parties struggle to recruit and vet enough candidates for an enlarged House, creating rushed nominations and poor campaign support.
- This recruitment strain feeds organizational dysfunction and abandoned candidates on election nights, Johnson warns.