The Argument for Proprtional Representation
I'll not go into an indepth argument here about why Canada would be well served by a change in the electoral process. I'll just post the numbers from this past election as I think they speak for themselves:
CON 124 36.25%
LIB 103 30.22%
BQ 51 10.48%
NDP 29 17.49%
IND 1 .52%
OTH 0 5.05%
Have a look at the BQ and NDP numbers. The BQ managed 51 seats on 10.48% of the national vote, whilst the NDP only pulled in 29 seats on their 17.49% of the popular vote. While this is an improvement for the NDP over last time around, it aptly demonstrates the advantage a single member plurality system gives to regionally concentrated interest groups. While I agree there should be regional interest representation in the Canadian political system, there should also be greater representation of groups spread across the Canadian map. Canada is oft plagued by regionalism which has threatened on numerous occasions to break up the federation. A shift in electoral system could help mitigate these regionalizing influences, while convincing people their votes are not wasted on "no hope" candidates.
Comments
Wouldn't "mitigating these regionalizing influences" screw over Quebec, where so many people already feel their local beliefs, culture and language are under seige?
Posted by: Mark | January 31, 2006 2:49 AM
No it wouldn't "screw over Quebec." It would ensure more accurate representation of Quebec's (and all the other provinces and territories) voting populace. If we were to adopt a mixed system, similar to that used in Germany, it would ensure that regional interests continue to be represented.
Posted by: Ryan Whalen | January 31, 2006 5:16 AM