FVC warns against premature unfair election (May 2, 2005)

May 02, 2005

Fair Vote Canada today called on all leaders in Parliament to make a commitment to a national referendum on electoral reform before proceeding to "another unfair election."

"How can we hold politicians accountable," said Wayne Smith, President of Fair Vote Canada, "when we don't get the government we vote for?"

Last June, half a million Green voters elected no one, while fewer Liberal voters in Atlantic Canada elected 22 MPs. The NDP received more votes than the Bloc, but the Bloc won nearly three times as many seats and hold the balance of power. The Conservatives got more votes in Québec than in Saskatchewan, but they elected thirteen Conservative MPs in Saskatchewan and none in Québec.

"This is ludicrous," said Smith. "Another unfair election under the current voting system will produce an equally ludicrous result."

"The winner-take-all nature of our current voting system gives us a `natural governing party' and a feeble and desperate opposition. Years of single-party rule breed arrogance and contempt for the voter, while the regional distortions caused by first-past-the-post voting mean that the west is shut out and separatists hold the balance of power."

"Canadians are becoming increasingly frustrated and angry with their politics," said Smith, "and they are realizing that it doesn't have to be this way.

"Paul Martin, Stephen Harper, Jack Layton, and Gilles Duceppe, all acknowledge a deep democratic deficit, but will they address the primary cause-our unfair voting system? With a minority government situation, all political parties should be pushing the government to share the power, and Canadians should be telling politicians of all stripes that we won't put up with this intolerable situation any longer."

Fair Vote Canada is calling for a citizen-driven process of education and consultation leading to a referendum so Canadians can choose a new voting system based on the principles that all voters are equal and every vote should count.

For more information: www.FairVote.Ca

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