No confidence in votes of non-confidence (May 10, 2005)

May 10, 2005

CANADIANS WARNED TO HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN VOTES OF NON-CONFIDENCE

As a precarious Parliament heads into what may be a series of votes of non-confidence, Canadians should look very carefully at the facts behind the numbers, said Fair Vote Canada president Wayne Smith, because "the outcome will likely make a mockery of legitimate majority rule".

"If the Conservative Party and Bloc Quebecois are able to bring down the government on their own, we will see the minority overthrowing the majority," said Smith. "This is not a question of whether you agree or disagree with the parties on the need for an early election. This is a question of how long Canada can continue to tolerate a voting system that produces unrepresentative Parliaments."

Smith pointed to the June 28, 2004 election results:

Conservative Party - 29.63% of the popular vote (4,019,498)

Bloc Quebecois - 12.39% of the popular vote (1,680,109)

Conservatives & Bloc: 42.02% of the popular vote (5,699,607)

vs.

Liberal Party - 36.73% of the vote (4,982,220)

NDP - 15.68% of the vote (2,127,402)

Liberals & NDP: 52.41% of the popular vote (7,109,622)

"Thanks to our first-past-the-post voting system, we may soon see MPs representing a minority of voters outvoting those who represent the majority," said Smith. "This is yet another glaring example of why it's time to overhaul our voting system so that all Canadians can be fairly represented in Parliament."

Fair Vote Canada is a multi-partisan citizens campaign for fair voting reform.