WE NEED ELECTORAL REFORM

A recent Angus Reid poll has shown a marked jump in support across the country for proportional representation. The aftermath of the recent federal election, which Justin Trudeau did not deserve to win, is an excellent time for Canadians to be having this discussion.

Sure, maybe some progressives are thinking we “dodged a bullet.” Trudeau is likely happy he broke his promise to Canadians on reform. Conservative supporters rightly feel cheated.

I’m here to tell you FPTP (firstpast-the-post) is a sword that cuts both ways. The shoe can, and will be, on the other foot someday. No one should feel happy with an outcome where the governing party couldn’t even achieve a plurality of the votes. Our present system gives total, unfettered majority power with only about 38 per cent of the vote, and no one should feel comfortable with that, either.

A proportional system like the MMP (mixed-member proportional) system we looked at on P.E.I. would ensure that the party with the most votes would get the most seats, and parties would need to cooperate to rule unless they genuinely had more than 50 per cent support, as in New Zealand. Rural Canadians would benefit the most of all – where every vote helps elect someone, no vote can ever be taken for granted.

The inconclusive P.E.I. referendum result was far from the last word on this issue. We need electoral reform, provincially and nationally.

Stephen DeGrace, Charlottetown