In Canada, our municipal elections are without political parties and big election machines. Our voter turnout is about 25%. Provincial and federal elections get about 65% turnout.

Political scientists say that political parties are great for generating interest in the election. They are probably right.

What the political scientists do not ask is: "Are our municipalities governed poorly because only 25% bother to vote?"

From what I can see is that our municipal governments are just as good, if not better, than provincial and federal governance.