It’s actually heartbreaking to hear Bob Allen use Tommy Douglas’ name lumped together with the Conservative and Liberal parties.
Tommy Douglas stood up for all Canadians, not just the wealthy and privileged. He fought for equality and democracy, a vision the other two parties don’t quite aspire to.
I attended the Fair Vote Canada event in Vernon Feb. 17.
This group of concerned citizens are holding presentations all across Canada on the merits of electoral reform. Three of the four local federal candidates were on hand to speak about electoral reform.
In short, the NDP and Green Party are committed to electoral reform and will enact mixed member proportional (MMP) representation for the 2019 election. For example, 30 per cent of the votes would equate to 30 per cent of the seats.
The Liberals committed to reviewing the electoral process within 12 months of being elected but did not commit to an outcome. The Liberal leader voted against the NDP motion for MMP in December even though half of his sitting members voted in favour of it. Mr. Trudeau supports an alternative voting system that reproduces our existing electoral system. It forces people to consider strategic voting if they are unhappy with their existing government.
I look forward to the day when I and the rest of Canadians can vote with their conscious and see their values represented in Parliament. The NDP is the official opposition and received the second highest number of votes in this riding. I for one will be voting NDP to ensure MMP and electoral reform becomes a reality and not just another study.
A true democracy will only be achieved when everyone’s vote counts.
Kelly Stalker
Vernon
