The goal of Proportional Representation (PR) is easy to understand: the % of seats for a Party should equal the % of votes cast for that Party. In addition, very few votes are wasted. Many countries use one of the PR systems to achieve this outcome.
The Fair Vote Guelph event, called “Vote for Canada”, will feature two specialists in PR systems currently in use. Prof. Dennis Pilon from York University will speak about the Mixed Member Proportional System, MMP, and Prof. Byron Weber Becker from the University of Waterloo will speak about STV, the Single Transferable Vote System.
Fair Vote Guelph member Steve Dyck will provide some context by looking at Canada’s current “Winner take all” system, also known as “First-Past-the-Post”. Community organizations who are engaged with this issue will also make short presentations.
A substantial amount of time will be set aside for short questions and short answers in an effort to foster a useful conversation regarding electoral reform. The intention is to concentrate on what is best for Canada. We want an electoral system that would lead to improved governance, to better long-term planning, and, most importantly, to improved civil discourse in the day-to-day business of the House of Commons.
During the Federal Election campaign, Prime Minister Trudeau promised that 2015 would be the last “First-Past-the-Post” election. The government will be holding consultations on Electoral Reform over the coming months and reports from MPs are to be submitted back to the House of Commons by October 14, 2016. The Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reform will provide recommendations to the House of Commons by December 1, 2016. Parliament will vote on a new system next year, in time for it to be implemented for the 2019 Federal Election.
On June 28th, we look forward to talking about how citizens can engage in the process.
About Fair Vote Canada:
Fair Vote Canada (FVC) is a grassroots multi-partisan citizens’ campaign for voting system reform. We promote the introduction of an element of proportional representation into elections for all levels of government and throughout civil society. For more information on our campaign, please visit www.fairvote.ca
Contact info for our event: guelph@fairvote.ca
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