Canada desperately needs a new approach to electing our chosen representatives in government that adequately reflects all Canadians. Our current system, “First-Past-The-Post” or FPtP, has historically resulted in elections whose results represent the needs, wants and values of less than half of the voters involved. Worse still, this system has disengaged Canadian voters to such a degree that in the last federal election, only 61% of eligible Canadians bothered to vote at all (Elections Canada, 2011). This is not the face of a modern, considered and just democracy, and it does not have to be the face of our democracy.
New combination electoral system now called, Preferential Ridings-Proportional, was presented for discussion by Dave Brekke at Fair Vote Canada’s AGM/Conference in Vancouver on June 7 and 8, 2013. With the Preferential Ridings Proportional (PRP) system, almost all voters would be included in election results. Their votes would count in a meaningful way. When all votes count in elections, false majority governments don’t occur. Truly representative minority government would be required to work collaboratively in their legislative bodies and would not be taken down by a false majority government as has often happened in the past. Far more effective and inclusive governance would have a high probability of happening.
The PRP system is for all citizens, and politicians, who want all participants in elections to have value. This PRP system was developed from what interested people said they wanted in elections:
- Their vote to count in a meaningful way with no additional Members
- Simple for voters
- All winners of riding seats winning with more than half the votes
As well as Government:
- Trustworthy, fair, respectful, open and accountable
- Collaborative Government and Opposition legislating laws reflecting the well being of all society
- Have at least one elected Member who represents their vote living relatively close.
The strong interest shown by some participants was encouraging. The white paper that explains PRP, how to use it, and what it’s capable of doing is available for viewing here. Thank you for your interest.