People are increasingly giving up on democracy by default. Can't say how many times I've been told on doorsteps that "I don't vote on  principle", as though that will inoculate them. Much of this has to do with self interested political parties promising the moon and the stars to win office, then doing otherwise and using public money to spin the result. The Liberals win the crown for this IMHO.  

If they can, political parties will usually put their interests before those of the public. This has inflamed widespread voter cynicism and disengagement. The Harper governments were masters at doing things which encouraged supporters of rival parties to stay home and not vote.

In the end we get the government we deserve. If we let parties discourage us, this nonsense will continue. The only way to make democracy work is to make parties FEAR us. To do that we need to be engaged, have long memories and stop treating party politics like a sport where we always support our side.