Chrétien and PR
Re: Proportional representation is only great for unelectable ‘professors,’ Jean Chrétien says, June 4
Jean Chrétien has hit the nail right on the head with his comments on proportional representation. He gave me a good laugh at the professors who want to be in parliament, but can’t even get themselves elected dogcatcher. Chrétien is absolutely correct in that proportional representation brings a higher degree of instability than in first-past-the-post. Obviously the academics behind proportional representation like power, but don’t want to dirty their hands with too many handshakes on the street corners. Ted Cooper, Powell River, B.C. Rather than being a loser, according to Jean Chrétien, New Zealand has done very well under proportional representation since the 1990s. Since adopting the system there have been only three different coalition governments led for nine years each by the highest polling party. Late in 2017, for the first time, the second highest polling party secured the support of two others to form a comfortable majority.
To describe these governments as being “hung” parliaments is simply mischievous — hung parliaments are incapable of decision-making, with usually only a vote or two needed to determine legislation, pass budgets etc.
New Zealand has done very well as an economy and in general well-being by any comparative measure since the late 1990s despite multiple earthquakes, severe weather events and the global financial crisis etc. while accommodating the different views of the parties in coalitions. Give yourselves a chance, Canada, to be more inclusive and transparently negotiable by giving PR a go. John Meeuwsen, Auckland, New Zealand