I have followed politics and voted in BC and Canadian elcetions
for almost 40 years.
I am very much in favour of proportional representation as a way to
create a more democratic system and to encourage voters to express
their minority opinions because they believe that their votes will
make a difference to the process of governing. As well, I believe
that most of our social reforms have come from governments that
have been forced by their minority status to reach a consensus or
compromise position that meets the expectations of the majority of
Canadians.
I believe we will have a much higher voter turnout at the polls and
much more interest in the political process when we get beyond the
"first past the post" system. It is discouraging to watch large
majority governments become complacent and/or arrogant about their
ability to pass legislation without consultation or political
accountability between elections.
I would prefer the electoral system used in New Zealand - the Mixed
Member Proportional system.
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