Why we need proportional representation now
- Because under our current voting system, a party that receives less than 50 percent of the votes can hold 100 percent of the power in parliament.
- Because votes in "swing ridings" are more valuable than votes in "safe ridings". In the 2015 election, it took nearly 38,000 to elect a Liberal MP, but 602,8000 to elect a Green MP.
- Because our winner-take-all voting system, the majority of votes are ignored. In 2011, Stephen Harper and the Conservatives won a majority with only 39 percent of the vote.
- Because, voter apathy is increasing in Canada. In countries with proportional representation typically have higher voter turnout.
- Because countries with proportional voting systems have a higher number of legislators who are female and who represent visible minorities.
As Prime Minister, I’ll make sure the 2015 election will be the last under first-past-the-post system http://t.co/KvaNbizLH5 #upfordebate
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) September 22, 2015
39% of the vote should mean 39% of the power.
— Green Party Canada (@CanadianGreens) July 6, 2016
Tell the #ERRE committee we need proportional representation. pic.twitter.com/RSrm1ZCahc
#ERRE stats: 15 days on road. 17 communities, 108 witnesses since Sept 19. Open mic 549 as of yesterday. 19K questionnaires. #YFC
— Elizabeth May (@ElizabethMay) October 7, 2016
Resources
Let's hold the Liberals to their promise.
Get the who, what, when, where and why on the ERRE by visiting:
- The ERRE Parliamentary Committee
- ERRE meeting details
- ERRE Committee Report
- Government response to ERRE Report
For up to the second news, and to keep the pressure on your elected representatives, check out our ERRE social media guide:
Learn more about the voting systems that are up for debate, and find out why proportional representation is the best fix for Canada:
Learn about the Charter Challenge to change Canada's voting system on the grounds of discrimination
Elizabeth May’s Inside Scoop
Hear from Elizabeth herself as she recaps the ERRE meetings. It will be like you were there.
- Recap of first televised ERRE meeting
- Recap of former and current Elections Canada chiefs questions by ERRE committee
- Three academic experts visit the ERRE committee - Elizabeth's video blog
- A full day marathon of committee meetings - Elizabeth has you covered if you missed it
- Recap of the last ERRE session before the August break
- The committee is back in action after the break, and Elizabeth May has your recap
- First stop on the ERRE road trip - Regina