I think that the Citizens Assembly is an excellent idea. Canada
does need an elections reform. The single member plurality system
in place at the moment is unfair to many candidates, and the
country voters. I recommend looking at the Mixed member plurality
system used in Germany. In addition, I strongly believe that much
of the low voter turnout lies in the lack of education in secondary
schools. Young students need to understand how our political system
works. Many people won't vote when they know that the candidate
they are choosing won't win.
A prime example is the upcoming election. It is quite evident
that Paul Martin and the liberals will win. However, voting for the
NDP or Alliance will strengthen the opposition in the House of
Commons, taking some power away from the leading party. Many people
don't understand that concept and decide not to vote because they
don't see the point. And finally, if the Senate were a Triple E
Senate, voters may feel that their votes are more effective, as
opposed to a pool for the Prime Minister to pick from, if he even
chooses House of Commons constituents. Alberta put the Prime
Minister to the test a couple of years ago, electing their Senate
member and it worked. The second time was a failure, but if the
province continued to elect their Senate members, and other
provinces joined the band wagon, I am sure that someone would have
to take notice.
Thank you.
Leslie McDonnell
2nd year Political Science student
at Malaspina University College
|