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Time for electoral reform

British Columbians are currently in the process of deciding whether they want to change the way they elect their provincial government. Currently, B.C., uses the first-past-the-post (FPTP) system, as do all the other provinces.

British Columbians are currently in the process of deciding whether they want to change the way they elect their provincial government.

Currently, B.C., uses the first-past-the-post (FPTP) system, as do all the other provinces. Simply put, while individual representatives who get the most votes are elected, the FPTP system allows parties to form a government even when they don’t security a majority of votes.

So BCers are being asked if they want to move away from this and use a proportional system.

It is the third time residents in some form or another have been asked this question in 18 years.  The first two failed to meet the threshold for change.

The first time was in 2005, when 57.7 per cent voted in favour of proportional representation, just barely missing the government’s 60 per cent hurdle. During the second vote in 2009, support for pro-representational governance dropped to 39 per cent.

I, for one, hope this time they are successful.

I have always said it is a citizen’s duty to vote. Even if the choice you make at election time is to spoil your ballot, it is important to be part of the process. I have gone as far to suggest that Canada should introduce a mandatory voting law similar to what they have in Australia.

That being said, I understand why many people choose not to vote because they believe their voice doesn’t matter.

Case in point: the 1979 federal election, when the Progressive Conservatives won 35 per cent of the popular vote but formed the government with 48 per cent of the seats in Parliament, while the Liberals won 40 per cent of the popular vote but won fewer seats.

It also relegates parties that receive a significant number of votes every election to political obscurity.

Proponents of FPTP often argue that proportional representation systems are too complex and do not provide as direct of a link between voters and their elected representatives. It is also argued that in proportional voting, there would be a long succession of minority governments that are virtually powerless to carry out their platforms and that electors would be subject to a constant stream of elections.

This is not necessarily the case. There are examples here in Canada and across the world where minority governments went on to govern effectively, regardless of the system they were elected under.

My favourite example nationally is Lester Person, who despite being elected to two minority governments, managed to pass legislation creating universal health care, the Canada Pension Plan, Canada Student Loans and a new national flag.

No election system is perfect, but given my druthers, my preference is proportional representation, which I feel is the more democratic.


Barry Kerton

About the Author: Barry Kerton

Barry Kerton is the managing editor of the Barrhead Leader, joining the paper in 2014. He covers news, municipal politics and sports.
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