Comments on Electoral Reform

For the last few years "Electoral Reform" has been on the national agenda with the proponents always being from the losers. A friend of mine lives in New Zealand where they have proportional representation and has seen first hand that it is not the panacea many hope but instead gives the minority opinion far more input than they deserve. So much for the "voice of the majority" that is supposed to be the keystone of democracy. Another example of where we are all equal but some of us are more equal than the others.

The last few years “electoral reform” keeps bubbling to the surface of public debate lead by the concept of “Proportional Representation”. The reason it keeps rearing its ugly head is because our “First Past the Post” system typically results in the winner not having a clear majority of 50% plus one. I for one have no problem with the current system as that is to be expected with our multi-candidate ballots; when there are three or more candidates it is not likely one will have more than 50% of the votes cast.

Those who cry and whine about “proportional representation” are just being poor losers thanks to the belief that their vote for the loosing side is a wasted ballot. If that is how you feel then vote for the winner! As for myself seldom has my vote gone to the eventual winner but not once did I ever blame it on the ballot system. But I do admit I would love to see an additional choice on each and every ballot: “None of the Above”!

Far too often the choices we have leave us wanting and we have no way of clearly voicing our displeasure. Sure, you could spoil your ballot, or not vote at all, but both fail to deliver the desired message that the policies being promoted do not resonate with some voters.

While some believe “Proportional Representation” is fairer that is far from the truth. New Zealand implemented such a system and now their legislative system is overly influenced by minority groups. How is that fair when a democratic system is supposed to represent the majority? Sure, we could have run off elections of the two top candidates. Now that would be “fair” but are we willing to absorb the cost for questionable gain?

Our multi-party system has seen the rise and fall of different parties over the years to the benefit of all Canadians. Take for example the NDP. While they have to date never held control Federally they still have had a major impact on our lives. So did even the Rhinoceros Party but in a tongue in cheek way. To see the opposite all we need to do is look to our neighbours to the south where politics usually is just black and white unlike our shades of gray. A varied palette has a much better chance of giving you something that most can find something positive to relate to!