Contact UsSearch
Click for Search Instructions
Home > Get Involved

Submission ADAMS-0853 (Online)

Submission By Pat Adams
AddressQuesnel, BC,
Organization
Date20040714
CategoryElectoral system change
Abstract
Representation based on the proportion of votes received [PR] is a means of attaining a much needed balance in our Provincial legislature and across the country, enhancing the representation of women and minority groups. [3 pages]

Submission Content
It is encouraging that British Columbia is recognizing the need to restructure our voting system, hopefully to more truly reflect the needs and wishes of British Columbians.

The current "first past the post" system is outdated and has created voter apathy. For example, in 2000, the voter turnout for the general election was only 61.2% of those eligible to vote. It is my contention that this is symptomatic of a population who has become disillusioned with voting primarily for a "winner take all" Party rather than an individual who would more truly represents their region and specific interests in the legislature.

This apathy was not only seen in Canada but around the world. Countries such as New Zealand, Australia and many of the European Union countries have completely revised their voting system to more accurately reflect the wishes of voters. In fact, Canada is one of the last countries who still use the "first past the post" system.

One of the most popular voting systems globally is proportional representation. As a matter of interest, it should be noted that Sweden introduced proportional representation in 1909. What, then, is proportional representation? Many of us have heard the term and misinterpreted it to mean a particular system of voting. In fact, proportional representation is a system that is characterized by the way that votes are translated into seats for parties and candidates. In other words, the seats in the legislature are proportional to the number of votes won.

The word "proportional" is pivotal to this methodology. For example, in the 2000 general election, it took 130,583 votes to elect each of twelve Progressive Conservative members of Parliament, but only 36,258 votes to elect each of thirty-eight Bloc Quebecois members. Proportional representation, unlike our current system, acknowledges the success parties have in gaining a share of the national and provincial vote and seats are allocated accordingly.

To turn our attention to British Columbia, the current legislature won all but two of the Provincial seats, but only had fifty-seven percent of the popular vote. In 1996, the New Democratic Party gained power with 37,500 fewer votes than the Liberals. The most obvious conclusion to be drawn from these statistics is that there were a lot of British Columbians who did not get the representation they wanted in either of these elections.

Given the time parameters of this presentation, it is not possible to continue giving examples of votes that have taken place federally and provincially in the past. We need to turn our attention to the future of Canada and British Columbia and look at who might benefit most from a renovated voting system. The short answer, ladies and gentlemen, is all of us.

Again, in the interests of time, I would now like to draw your attention to the lack of representation by women on every level of government. Statistics reveal that fifty-two percent of the population of Canada is women; however, the representation by women on every level of government is less than 24%. Currently in British Columbia, women only hold nineteen of seventy-nine seats. Clearly, then, something needs to be done to ensure that women are more adequately represented. Advocates of proportional representation see it not only as a more equitable system for women, but also for minority groups and voters in general. Comparisons of electoral systems indicate that it is the most important variable for the representation of women and minority groups. Countries with proportional representation consistently elect legislative members who more accurately reflect the population than do countries with our current "first past the post" voting system. Again, using Sweden as an example, the representation by women is approximately forty-four percent.

Some would argue that no one should be elected to any level of government simply on the basis of their gender. Others, myself included, would counter that argument by saying that it has taken too many years for women to even attain the level of representation we currently hold, and something must be done to ensure equitable representation for a group comprising over fifty percent of the population.

The United Nations is cognizant of the need for a more equitable level of representation for women. In June 2000 the UN General Assembly, in Special Session to review the 1995 Beijing Platform for Action, encouraged governments worldwide to:

"…. set and encourage the use of explicit short and long-term time-bound targets or measurable goals, including where appropriate, quotas to promote progress toward gender balance, including women's equal access to and full participation on a basis of equality with men in all areas and at all levels of public life, especially in decision-making positions, in political parties and political activities, in all government ministries and at key policy-making institutions, as well as in local development bodies and authorities."

The current voting system produces governments that do not accurately reflect the views of Canadians. It discourages voter participation and discriminates against small national parties. We are currently in the last few days of a federal election. There are many of us, myself included, who would appreciate the opportunity to really have my vote mean something. I would like to know that my vote would, indeed, count and that my candidate has a chance of receiving a high enough proportion of the vote to go to Ottawa to represent me. Statistically women are very successful in countries with proportional representation. If voters have more than one choice on voting day they will oftentimes cast a vote for a woman and, in fact, political parties will often choose to run women candidates in the hopes of attracting more voters.

Contrary to what you may be thinking, I am not suggesting proportional representation as a way of creating imbalance, I am suggesting that representation based on the proportion of votes received is a means of attaining a much needed balance in our Provincial legislature and across the country. No one can argue that women are under represented and have been for many years. It is time we moved towards righting the imbalance. Women were given the right to vote in Federal elections in 1918, a year after they were allowed to vote in British Columbia. That being said, it took until 1929 before we were declared "persons".

Even before they were declared "persons" women were seeking election on the Federal level. In 1921 four women ran and one was elected. In 1968, thirty-six women ran and one was elected. By 1993, the number of women elected had increased to fifty-three; however, four hundred and seventy-six ran, which translates into only 11.13%. Statistics reveal that in 2000 three hundred and seventy-three women ran for office and sixty-two were elected, which represents 16.62%. British Columbia has fared somewhat better. In 1972 six women were elected and although the number had increased to nineteen by 2001, this only translates into 24.0% representation by women. Considering that women constitute fifty-two percent of the population of Canada, it is evident that this level of representation is unacceptable.

An entire presentation could be devoted to statistics substantiating that women are under-represented. Whist the statistics are fascinating and illustrate the point, they are of little consequence if they do not lead to solutions. Suffice it to say that there is a growing awareness amongst women that they should have a much louder voice in the affairs of their country and Province. Proportional representation, I submit is a way in which Canadians and British Columbians can bring this about. Keep in mind, also, that this system also assists minority groups to have more equitable representation, but that would have to be the subject of another presentation.

In closing, I would like to leave you with the thoughts of Sir Winston Churchill, arguable one of the world's all-time great statesmen. In January 1960, Sir Winston was asked to comment on the prediction that by the year 2000 women would rule the world. "They still will, will they?" was Sir Winston's reply. Women still have a long way to go to get equal representation, let alone rule the world.

© 2003 Citizens' Assembly on Electoral ReformSite powered by levelCMSSite Map | Privacy Policy