Editor:
The Fair Vote Canada organization is, yet again, working to advance awareness of the flaws inherent in the first-past-the-post system of electing our parliamentary representatives.
For example, our present federal “majority” government was elected by fewer than 40 per cent of voters, or fewer than 25 per cent of the electorate.
To further Fair Vote Canada’s aim, we – as constituents in his riding – met with our MP Russ Hiebert (South Surrey-White Rock-Cloverdale) on March 1 at his local office. We had hoped he might be sympathetic and take the message to his party and government in Ottawa that B.C. residents have recently shown strong interest in proportional representation.
He heard us out, agreed that low voter turnout is a concern, but is clearly wedded to the present first-past-the-post system and declined to carry our message forward.
We were disappointed but not surprised.
Clearly, all who supported proportional representation in B.C.’s referendum on this issue must redouble their efforts to bring about democratic representation.
D.L. Randall, Surrey
