Yep, I totally understand how you feel. But you have something most don’t, you’re empowered with knowledge (of our flawed electoral system), and are thus able to act upon it. By being more aware of the reality, you can navigate yourself (and others) towards a better future.
You can’t do much of that if you are burnt out, so please do take care of yourself!
You’ll have to go over to Reddit and ask Mike Schreiner there.
I know that pessimism is a natural response, but I don’t see any better way of getting proportional representation (PR). We certainly won’t get PR from candidates who don’t endorse or are against it. I suppose there is the Charter Challenge for Fair Voting, but us ordinary folk can easily choose PR-supporting candidates.
I like to think that this is similar to Gay Marriage. We won’t get improvements in society unless we push for it. The (corrupt) folks on the other side of the argument are putting up a fight, but PR proponents aren’t fighting for just today or for power, we’re fighting for Canada and it’s democracy.
Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. It’s not.
Dr.Seuss
I think it’s good to know where each party stands on proportional representation. This way it can at least become a factor into people’s voting preferences, and in turn affect what policies candidates endorse.
Find your electoral district at the official Elections Ontario website.
Find your electoral district at the Official Elections Ontario website: https://voterinformationservice.elections.on.ca/en/election/search
Here’s a great company! Peaceworks Technology Solutions
I updated the title of the post to better clarify that this would only apply to Canadian MEPs.
I think that if it comes down to a referendum (not that referendums are necessary anyway), I think a Canadian referendum on EU membership would be more likely to gain majority support than for proportional representation. The reason being is that membership into the EU is easier to understand than proportional representation.
Given the current political climate (the American trade war against Canada), Canadians would be much more receptive to joining the EU.
Ok, suppose that the OLP does not vote against fair elections. In the same 2007 referendum, the OLP takes no position on the matter of electoral reform, whereas the ONDP are in favour of proportional representation. This is still consistent with the current political tenets that each party continues to espouse.
On that alone, it should indicate that the NDP is the superior option to the OLP when it comes to fair elections. I wish Liberals were more in favour of proportional representation, but it’s not the reality.
On the federal level, 107 Liberal MPs (68.6% of LPC MPs) voted against a Citizen’s Assembly on Electoral Reform. This is evidence of the LPC’s sentiment on fair elections, and yes, this could be extended to the provincial OLP.
That being said, in reality, there are many more factors to consider than who is more in favour of fair elections.
If we are considering solely on the basis of who is more likely to enact legislation for fair elections, then that would be Greens/NDP candidates. The Greens/NDP are the only parties consistently in favour of proportional representation. Therefore, Seigest’s thoughts still hold.
What’s the relevance of this?
I disagree with the notion that IRV is strictly “a downgrade” over FPTP.
Both FPTP and IRV are winner-take-all systems. However, IRV is superior to FPTP, as the spoiler effect is mitigated. We still have wasted votes in any winner-take-all system, but perhaps of varying degrees of severity.
However, proportional representation (e.g., STV or MMP) is the only way to guarantee fair representation for all.
2025-02-13: Fair Vote Canada on BlueSky (in reaction to Natasha Doyle-Merrick’s candidacy withdrawal)
No one should feel they have to step aside to ‘help’ another candidate win.
We need a democracy where every vote truly counts—where voters pick their representatives, not just the ‘least-bad’ option.
Proportional representation delivers that, it’s time to get on board.
CBC News on 2024-05-01: Former PC Party vice-president appointed as Ontario judge
CBC News on 2024-05-01: Former PC Party vice-president appointed as Ontario judge
Not only should you vote, but be aware of: