Moulton takes a pass on Fair Vote Canada meeting
Fair Vote Canada holds debate for Northumberland-Peterborough South candidates
PORT HOPE -- Describing the Fair Vote Canada movement to change the way Canadians vote as a “non-partisan issue,” Northumberland County chapter spokesman Wilf Day was proven wrong several times during Monday’s all-candidates meeting when discussions were anything but nonpartisan.
Near the end of the discussions at Beatrice Strong Public School where about 100 people were crowded in, the three of the four Northumberland-Peterborough South riding federal candidates who were in attendance even got off topic with their views on their partisan issues about the senate - until pulled back on track by moderator Day.
Day began the session by introducing NDP candidate Russ Christianson, Liberal candidate Kim Rudd and Green Party candidate Pat Sinnott before explaining that, though invited, Conservative candidate Adam Moulton was not attending and did not send a representative.
When Day asked the crowd if there was anyone there as a Conservative candidate rep, Christianson jumped in and asked if there were any Conservatives at the meeting at all, and if so to put up their hands. No one did, as Day suggested that it was inappropriate to make such a request.
Back on topic, Day said that about half of Canadian voters didn’t vote in the last election and that a proportional voting system could increase interest in voting. He told the crowd about 70% of Canadians approve this proposed change from Fair Vote Canada, and then played a video featuring York University Prof. Dennis Pilon explaining one such method of proportional representation.
The mixed member proportional (MMP) system such as that used in Germany and Scotland has a ballot with a first and a second vote.
The first vote would be to pick a local MP, he said. It is the method currently in place of “winner takes all,” or referred to as “first past the post.”
The second vote would pick a number of MPs representing a larger region. The ballot explains that this vote is to pick the party the person favours.
The method suggests electing 207 local riding MPs in Canada and 131 regional MPs from what are described as 27 “top up regions” for a total of 338 MPs in the federal government - the same number to be elected this time.
Pilon explained that in this way the second vote (through regional representation) would reflect how everyone voted so each vote does count, and there is no need for strategic voting or vote splitting.
“It’s closer to what voters actually said through their votes,” he said.
Day closed off the video by saying the MMP system, as proposed by the Law Association of Canada, “would mean a lot for Canada.”
During the meeting Day also said that, using the last federal voting results (which put six Conservative MPs into power in the region from Brockville to Lindsay and one Liberal MP through the “winner takes all / first past the post” current voting system) and the MMP system with a second vote regionally taking into account the percentage of votes for parties, there would be four local Conservative MPs, one local Liberal MP, one regional Liberal MP and to regional NDP MPs.
The candidates were then asked to state their positions.
The NDP has supported proportional representation for 30 years, Christianson said.
Like climate change, “we have to deal with this now,” he said, urging people to talk to their neighbours, friends and family.
He said he supports MMP but a consultation with Canadians would also have to take place.
One aspect of the regional vote is how large an area each region is, plus the number of MPs representing it.
Liberal candidate Rudd said that her party leader, Justin Trudeau, has made striking an allparty committee and consulting Canadians on the issue one of the first things their party would do if elected.
But all democratic change would be on the table including a ranked ballot and mandatory voting, she said. The mandate would be to bring legislation back to Parliament within 18 months, she said.
Green party candidate Sinnott said electoral reform is part of her party platform launched Sept. 9 by leader Elizabeth May, together with an all-party committee and public consultation. She said proportional representation gets people involved in voting and makes politicians more responsible.
Christianson said that electoral reform was so important to democracy he would resign (if elected) if his party did move forward on the issue.
Rudd didn’t go that far, saying the result is up to the consultation with Canadians, and Sinnott reiterated her party’s position, adding that proportional representation is “something we really need to do for all Canadians.”
Day suggested people visit the Fair Vote Canada website (www. fairvote.ca) to view the video and two others on other variations of proportional voting, and to see how federal candidates across Canada stand on the issue.