I support a change to some type of proportional representation
[PR]. Although some submissions have argued that our current system
has in many ways worked well and gotten us this far, this position
glosses over several emerging and historical weaknesses with the
current system:
-
decreasing voter turnout
-
inability of smaller parties to gain any representation
-
tendency to favour or be biased toward a two party system,
something we almost take for granted but which is a very narrow
expression of voter desires
-
unfairly rewarding the first-past-the-finish line candidate.
Introducing a system of proportional representation can be
viewed as a straightforward next-step in improving the electoral
process. And it clearly needs fixing. Our current system is simply
not generating the ideas, leadership, policies, style of politics,
interest or clout needed to deal with the critical issues we face.
Witness the almost complete absence of any debate or platforms
during the last provincial (or federal) election dealing with the
number one issue we all must soon confront: environmental crises
and ecological collapse. A proportional system of election would
help promote a wider variety of issues and ideas being debated
during each election than the currrent system which has resulted
(though perhaps not consciously) in a situation where the party in
power and one major opposition party control all the action. We
need a system that promotes the power of ideas rather than the idea
of holding onto power at whatever cost.
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