I am still so frustrated by our prime minister’s abandonment of the electoral reform process. Our electoral system is the foundation of our democracy. We should not let this issue die.
First-past-the-post leaves Canada vulnerable to vote splitting between parties with similar platforms. This causes governments to be elected that do not represent the majority of the country. It also causes expensive and inefficient political lurch as the federal government changes from Liberal to Conservative and back again, each time undoing legislation and reorganizing bureaucracy.
In the last election, more than 60 per cent of Canadians voted for parties committed to electoral reform. I was so happy that it was finally going to happen.
However, when Justin Trudeau realized the committee on electoral reform that he initiated was recommending a form of proportional representation, he threw up his hands and pulled the plug on electoral reform. There was no public discussion of the options being considered, no effort to pursue or educate. Trudeau prefers an alternative vote/preferential voting/ranked ballot/instant run-off system (all the same thing). He has stated that he rejects the option of proportional representation for Canada because he fears a proliferation of small, fringe parties.
If I could have Trudeau’s ear, this is what I would say:
If you are set against proportional representation, then give Canada a referendum on the one electoral reform option that you find acceptable.
Here is a clear referendum question: Do you want: A: to move to an alternative voting system (electoral reform) for a trial period of two elections, or B: to stay with first-past-the-post (no electoral reform)?
Canada can try the new electoral system for two elections and then a citizens’ assembly can evaluate the result and give voters the chance to stay with an alternative vote or try a different electoral system.
Alternative voting has some advantages:
It avoids vote splitting, removes the need for strategic voting, and is easily understood. It does not facilitate a proliferation of small, single-issue parties as fully proportional systems can do.
Under alternative voting, even though each voter’s first choice may not be represented in government, and small parties will be under-represented, each vote will likely be part of the final choice between the two strongest candidates for a riding.
Alternative voting allows for regional representation and can use existing ridings, so it is the not a big change from our current system. It tends to promote majority governments, allowing for decisive governing.
Personally, I am in favour of a proportional representation electoral system such as mixed-member proportional or single transferable vote (which was nearly adopted in B.C. during our last referendum), or one of the made-for-Canada systems that was also considered by the committee on electoral reform. Proliferation of small fringe parties is prevented in many countries that use proportional representation by setting a threshold so a party must receive at least five per cent of the popular vote in order to elect a representative. I think that calm, collaborative, solution-oriented conversations in parliament are more likely to happen when smaller parties must work together for gain a majority. But anything is better than first-past-the-post.
So please Prime Minister Trudeau, reconsider your decision. Electoral reform would be your greatest legacy.
Simone Runyan
Coldstream
