Celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Tragedy in the Commons

As we mark the 10th anniversary of Tragedy in the Commons, we see how the book endures and continues to influence discussions about the state of Canada's democracy.

Published in 2014 and written by the Samara Centre’s co-founders Alison Loat and Michael MacMillan, the book is a key output of our MP Exit Interview Project, the first ever systematic collection of interviews with former Parliamentarians conducted in Canada. Not only did it become a national bestseller, garnering widespread media attention, it has also been referenced in Parliamentary debates and was drawn on to create the Reform Act. The book is frequently cited in numerous academic publications and remains a key resource for aspiring and new MPs. 

Tragedy in the Commons presents surprising observations about the practice of politics in Canada. MPs describe arriving at their political careers almost by accident; few say they aspired to be in politics before it “happened” to them. In addition, almost without fail, each MP describes the tremendous influence of their political party: from the manipulation of the nomination process to enforced voting in the House and in committees, the unseen hand of the party dominates every aspect of the MPs existence.

The insights from Tragedy in the Commons continue to resonate and influence the ongoing work of the Samara Centre. The book has informed a sequel, Real House Lives: Former Members of Parliament on How to Reclaim Democratic Leadership, and has also inspired two podcasts: the award-winning Humans of the House and the Samara Centre’s first major French initiative, Les Personnages de la Chambre. The wider MP Exit Interview Project has also informed the creation of teaching resources which high school and post-secondary educators from across Canada use in their classrooms to teach about active citizenship. To date, over 160 exit interviews with former MPs have been conducted and longitudinal analysis is currently underway. 

Tragedy in the Commons remains a significant influence on how we understand political practices in Canada. To mark the anniversary of its release, we've gathered some key highlights about the book and released a special bonus episode of Humans of the House.

Creation myths do tend to say something about the people who tell them. So what does the creation myth of the Canadian politician say about the people who lead this country? … Many portrayed themselves as having to be almost dragged, kicking and screaming, into the job. It was remarkable: before we learned anything else about them, these MP’s wanted to make sure we grasped just how resistant they had been to entering politics.

-Alison Loat & Michael MacMillan, Tragedy in the Commons

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Virtually all the MPs we interviewed remembered feeling, immediately, two powerful emotions. First, they were filled with awe for the institution of Parliament and its history, and for the opportunity to serve…And then there was a double take at being left to fend for themselves.

-Alison Loat & Michael MacMillan, Tragedy in the Commons

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Get your copy of Tragedy in the Commons from Ben McNally Books.

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Acclaim & Select Media 

Toronto Star Bestseller List (April 27, 2014)

Globe and Mail Bestseller List (April 26th, 2014)

Highly-rated on Goodreads 

The Hill Times| October 18, 2024: Heard on the Hill: 'An important oral history of political life': Samara Centre marks 10 years of MP exit interviews‍

The Globe and Mail | May 10, 2024: Opinion: The foreign-interference scandal shows that it’s time to clean up Canada’s party nomination races

CBC | February 24, 2023: A Liberal backbencher with an independent streak is eyeing a new challenge — party leadership

The Sarnia Observer | March 3, 2015: Political author shares findings of exit interviews with MPs

CBC Radio | February 26, 2015: MPs speak out in Tragedy in the Commons

Macleans Magazine | October 9, 2014: Why MPs can’t wait to get out of Ottawa

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Ottawa Citizen | July 30, 2014: Candidate, educate thyself

Toronto Star | July 11th, 2014: The case for abolishing political parties

Ottawa Citizen | May 20, 2014: Reclaiming the Commons 

‍Hamilton Spectator | May 6, 2014: Former MPs look back at House

Hazzlit | May 5, 2014: Canada’s Rotten Government 

The Hill Times | May 3, 2014: Politicians should reclaim themselves, say authors of new book Tragedy in the Commons

The Globe and Mail | May 1, 2014: Parliament is still Mad Men territory for women, and that’s bad news for democracy 

Global News | April 27, 2014: ‘Tragedy in the Commons,’ through the eyes of former MPs

Toronto Sun | April 25, 2014: Canadian Democracy not failing

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The Globe and Mail (Opinion) | April 19, 2014: Pass the Reform Act before election clock ticks to zero

The Tyee | April 19, 2014: ‘A System Designed to Be Controlled by the Centre’: In conversation, author Alison Loat reflects on the interviews that informed ‘Tragedy in the Commons.’

Macleans Magazine | April 18, 2014: Jim Flaherty and those in this arena

Macleans Magazine | April 14, 2014: The Tragedy of the House of Commons

Globe and Mail | April 14, 2014: When MPs hate politics

Toronto Star | April 12, 2014: Kindergarten on the Rideau 

Ontario Today, CBC Radio | 2014: Open lines with media mogul Michael MacMillan on his new book Tragedy in the Commons

Ottawa Citizen | March 31, 2014: Respect for Women in the House of Commons Matters

Globe and Mail | February 7, 2014: Michael MacMillan: The contrarian media mogul with a passion for Canadian politics

Canadian Living | December 1st, 2013: Alison Loat Michael MacMillan: Charity Founders, Toronto getting by with a little help from their friends

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(photo credit: Saffron Blaze)