Canada's system of government was historially based on a two party system. It was a system that allowed a political party to gain power and overrule objection from the other party. At some point they would suffer a defeat in the polls and the second party would rule as did the other one. Patronage and corruption was what counted without much objection as the second pig waited its turn at the trough.
Now there are several parties but the older two have never learned to share power with them. The Parliament no longer is where government business is carried out because governments want to operate in secrecy. Elected members are only trained seals who must comply with every wish and whim of their leader or they are disciplined, but minority governments keep the power within Parliament and keep bastards like Harper in check. Even with a so called majority of members in Parliament the party may have much less that a majority of the popular vote. In that way we can end up with an elected dictatorship and that is Harper's goal. There is danger that he could get his wish even though most of the electorate would sooner see him in Hell than in Ottawa!