The Electoral System Of Proportionality In Canada

1197 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Importance of democratic system

Elections are the capstone of any democratic system, within elections the voice of the people is heard and their political rights are exercised. It is such an important event that a multiplicity of electoral systems exists. In light of this, it is imperative that electoral systems most closely reflect the will of the people. As such, Canada needs to transition towards an electoral system of proportionality. Proportionality has many benefits including: proportionality accounting for the popular vote of the electorate. Also, proportionality has a positive correlation of increasing voter participation, and the nature of proportionality increases the cooperation of elected officials in regards to policy implementation. However, despite the positive …show more content…

To account for the Canadian context, the system of proportionality that would be the most appropriate is ‘mixed-member-proportional’ (MMP) (Bochsler 2014, 113). MMP is the best choice for the Canadian context for several reasons. First, MMP is a blend of the traditional voting system of ‘First Past the Post’ (FPTP), which does not require a majority of votes cast, and a contemporary element incorporating proportionality, which accounts for the ‘popular vote’ received by a candidate’s political party (Lundberg 2013, 612). Second, MMP is implemented at two different levels one at the individual riding, where FPTP is used, and another which could be implemented at the regional level (Lundberg 2013, 612; Bochsler 2014, 113; Rich 2014, 161). The benefit of MMP is that it incorporates a system of voting familiar to the voter (Nemoto et. al 2012, 504). Also, there are different ways of determining how the proportional aspect of MMP is implemented (Lundberg 2014, 354). For example, it could be that a ballots options be for the local candidate and that the proportional aspect be accounted through a vote for a party (Nemoto et. al 2012, 504). The party then decides who is to represent the proportional aspect of the vote (Nemoto et. al 2012, 504). Additionally, in order to account for the proportional aspect of MMP, there may have to be seats …show more content…

Switching to a system of proportionality has a predominantly optimistic effect on voter turnout (Cox et. al 2016, 1249). However, there is some debate as to the validity of this assumption (Pardos-Prado et. al 2014, 253). However, research conducted finds an increase in voter turnout, although depending on extenuating factors this does not always hold true (Cox et. al 2016, 1250). Comparatively, there are more voters coming out to vote in proportional systems (Rich 2014, 163). This is substantiated by the findings of Rich (2014, 165). However, there is the possibility of future decline in turnout (Rich 2014, 169). Ultimately, voter turnout is essential to the functioning of a democracy, MMP has a greater impact on increasing turnout (Rich 2014, 170). Proportionality has the added benefit of increasing voter turnout during an

Show More
Related

  • The Pros and Cons of Proportional Representation (PR)

    1160 Words  | 3 Pages

    The results of recent elections in Britain raised many significant questions about current political situation in the country, particularly concerning electoral system. Therefore the problem of “crisis” in democracy of Britain was the subject of wide speculation among analysts and political scientists over last years. In addition it is widely recognized that the traditional electoral system in the UK-first past the post- is the main cause of that crisis and should be replaced as part of a plan to reconstitute the democratic culture (Kelly 2008). By longstanding critics of the system, opponents advocate the use of proportional representation (PR) for selecting MPs. Due to this problem it is going to be a referendum on changing the electoral system of the country's parliamentary elections. Arguments in favor of the adoption of proportional representation in UK have been made much more widely in recent years than in the case in favor of maintaining the current system of the majority vote. In this essay I would like to help restore the balance pointing out some misapprehensions in the critique of the plurality vote and to indicate some disregarded advantages of the present electoral system in Britain.

    Read More

  • Youth Voter Turnout in Canada

    878 Words  | 2 Pages

    Canada is a society built on the promise of democracy; democracy being defined as “government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system.” In order to operate at full potential, the people of Canada must voice their opinions and participate fully in the political system. This is why it’s shocking to see that people are becoming less engaged in politics and the voter turnout has steadily been declining over the last 20 years. This lack of participation by Canadians is creating a government that is influenced by fewer people, which is detrimental to the democratic system Canada is built on.

    Read More

  • Advantages And Disadvantages Of Canada's Electoral System

    1328 Words  | 3 Pages

    The electoral system in Canada has been utilized for over a century, and although it has various strengths which have helped preserve the current system, it also has glaringly obvious weaknesses. In recent years, citizens and experts alike have questioned whether Canada’s current electoral system, known as First Past the Post (FPTP) or plurality, is the most effective system. Although FPTP is a relatively simple and easy to understand electoral system, it has been criticized for not representing the popular vote and favouring regions which are supportive of a particular party. FPTP does have many strengths such as simplicity and easy formation of majority governments, however, its biggest drawback is that it does not proportionally represent

    Read More

  • Mandatory Voting In Canada

    940 Words  | 2 Pages

    Should Canadians turn to compulsory voting for answers? Many democracies throughout the globe, including Australia, Belgium, Greece, and Luxembourg, employ mandatory voting and report an average turnout rate of 90 percent ("Canadian Parliamentary Review - Article"). In light of this, establishing electoral participation as a civic duty seems pretty reasonable. Particularly considering the guaranteed increase in voter participation, it seems like the perfect solution. When examined father in-depth, however, one will discover the issue poses some

    Read More

  • Pi 463 Case Study

    2307 Words  | 5 Pages

    Greater levels of congruence between government and voters results in not only a democratic government, but also reflects the idea that voting is a meaningful process driven by voters as opposed to a random unknown outcome (POLI 463, Lecture 4). Congruence affects voting patterns, as citizens will seek to feel represented by their government and will adjust their voting patterns based on this. Moreover, performance of a democracy is affected, as government is held accountable in remaining congruent with the general public.

    Read More

  • Women, Power and Politics by Sylvia Bashevkin

    2287 Words  | 5 Pages

    The contentious little book titled Women, Power, Politics maintains politics to be devalued, acknowledging the fact that only few people do vote, and women are unable to achieve within the realm of Canadian politics. Sylvia Bashevkin, the author of the book argues that Canadians have a profound unease with women in positions of political authority, what she calls the "women plus power equals discomfort" equation. She evaluates a range of barriers faced by women who enter politics, including the media's biased role of representing the private lives of women in politics, and she wonders why citizens find politics is underrepresented in Canada compared to Belgium. In clear, accessible terms, Bashevkin explains her ideas on how to eliminate “low voters turn-out,” “devaluation of politics,” "gender schemas," and "media framing.” She outlines some compelling solutions to address the stalemate facing women in Canadian politics which are; contesting media portrayals, changing the rule of the game, improving legislative quotas, electoral reform, movement renewals, and so on. This response paper would addresses the reality of a political mainstream, actions which should be taken against the oppressive elements of reality, and the awareness it brings through economic, social, and political environment.

    Read More

  • Mixed Member Proportional in Canada

    2626 Words  | 6 Pages

    There is a fundamental problem with the democratic process in Canada. This problem is rooted within our electoral system. However, there is a promising solution to this issue. Canada should adopt the mixed-member proportional representation electoral system (MMP) at the federal level if we wish to see the progression of modern democracy. The failure to do so will result in a stagnant political system that is caught in the past and unable to rise to the contemporary challenges that representative democracies face. If Canada chooses to embrace the MMP electoral system it will reap the benefits of greater proportionality, prevent the centralization of power that is occurring in Parliament and among political parties through an increased emphasis on cooperation, and the government will attain greater legitimacy with the ability to positively influence the representation of minority groups.

    Read More

  • Electoral Reform in Canada

    1874 Words  | 4 Pages

    The issue of electoral reform has become more important than ever in Canada in recent years as the general public has come to realize that our current first-past-the-post, winner-take-all system, formally known as single-member plurality (SMP) has produced majority governments of questionable legitimacy. Of the major democracies in the world, Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom are the only countries that still have SMP systems in place. Interestingly enough, there has been enormous political tension and division in the last few years in these countries, culminating with the election results in Canada and the USA this year that polarized both countries. In the last year we have seen unprecedented progress towards electoral reform, with PEI establishing an electoral reform commissioner and New Brunswick appointing a nine-member Commission on Legislative Democracy in December 2003 to the groundbreaking decision by the British Columbia Citizen’s Assembly on October 24, 2004 that the province will have a referendum on May 17, 2005 to decide whether or not they will switch to a system of proportional representation. This kind of reform is only expected to continue, as Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty decided to take BC’s lead and form an independent Citizen’s Assembly with the power to determine whether or not Ontario will have a referendum regarding a change to a more proportional system. There is still much work to do however, and we will examine the inherent problems with Canada’s first-past-the-post system and why we should move into the 21st century and switch to a form of proportional representation.

    Read More

  • Canada's Electoral System

    994 Words  | 2 Pages

    Proportional representation is almost always acknowledged as the fairest electoral system. With this in mind, many still reject a mixed member proportional system. Critics argue that the current method has produced a stable and effective government, while MMP would create an ineffective government. Wiseman feels that since Canada has been consistently stable, our electoral system does not need to be changed. Hiemstra and Jansen disagree with the plurality system that is currently in place for it does not produce fair representation and devalues citizen’s votes. Canadians must make a choice between the value of effectiveness and the values of justice and equity. Although a switch is not anticipated in the near future, Canadian citizens can hope that it is at least in the minds of many voters and on the discussion list of the government.

    Read More

  • Canada's Electoral System

    1906 Words  | 4 Pages

    Democracy is defined as government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system (Democracy, n.d.). Canadians generally pride themselves in being able to call this democratic nation home, however is our electoral system reflective of this belief? Canada is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy that has been adopted from the British system. Few amendments have been made since its creation, which has left our modern nation with an archaic system that fails to represent the opinions of citizens. Canada’s current “first-past-the-post” (FPTP) system continues to elect “false majorities” which are not representative of the actual percentage of votes cast. Upon closer examination of the current system, it appears that there are a number of discrepancies between our electoral system and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Other nations provide Canada with excellent examples of electoral systems that more accurately represent the opinions of voters, such as proportional representation. This is a system of voting that allocates seats to a political party based on the percentage of votes cast for that party nationwide. Canada’s current system of voting is undemocratic because it fails to accurately translate the percentage of votes cast to the number of seats won by each party, therefore we should adopt a mixed member proportional representation system to ensure our elections remain democratic.

    Read More

  • Canadian Democracy: Veiws Of Canadians

    1438 Words  | 3 Pages

    3. Cassidy, Michael. “How Proportional Representation would Improve Canada’s Electoral System”, Paul Fox and Graham White, Politics Canada, 8th edition McGraw-Hill Ryerson: 398-412

    Read More

  • Argument Against Mandatory Voting In Canada

    673 Words  | 2 Pages

    Voting is a privilege granted to citizens of democratic countries. According to the Parliament of Canada, “all eligible citizens have the right to participate, either directly or indirectly, in making the decisions that affect them. Canadian citizens normally elect someone to represent them in making decisions at the different levels of government.” Despite having the right to vote, many Canadians do not exert their duty as citizens, leading some to think that voting should be made mandatory in order to prevent a dictatorship. Voting is the foundation of democracy; however, the participation rate in Canada has been decreasing since the 1960s. The Canadian parliament came up with Bill S-22 to “amend the Canada Elections Act”

    Read More

  • Political Science Final Exam

    758 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...d I believe that proportional representation would be the most effective system to further the goals of democracy. If we use the single member plurality system we automatically ignore and exclude the voice of the people who didn’t win the election in a first past the post method. On the other hand in the proportional system rather than all seats being given to the party with the most votes every party gets the seats equal to the amount of votes they were able to obtain. This would allow all the people who voted to have their ‘”voice” represented in the government even though the party they voted for did not end up winning the election. This would encourage and engage many citizens to become involved in the political process; who otherwise would be discourage to vote at the fact that even if they vote, if their party loses their vote would be useless.

    Read More

  • Canada Needs Proportional Representation

    1686 Words  | 4 Pages

    One may be surprised to learn that the turnout rate of individuals voting in Canada's federal elections has never reached 80% (Elections Canada). In fact, it has been decreasing since the middle of the twentieth century, as shown by an increase in voter apathy. An electoral system is designed to provide those who live in democratic governments with the opportunity to vote – in an election – for the candidate whose platform coincides with their political beliefs. This can be achieved through a direct democracy, where citizens are directly involved in the decision-making process, or through an indirect democracy, where citizens elect a delegate to act on their behalf. In a direct democracy, all citizens would be present during governmental meetings and have the opportunity to give verbal input. As one may expect, this would be extremely difficult to coordinate with Canada's population of 34.88 billion (Statistics Canada). Canada uses an indirect democracy, which allows for two basic forms of electoral systems in which representatives are elected. In the simple plurality electoral system, the candidate who receives the greatest number of votes is elected, regardless of a majority or not. It is commonly known as the “first-past-the-post” system, which alludes to a horse race; the winner passes the post with the highest number of votes, and only need to garner more votes than their opponents. The successful candidate wins all the seats in their riding or constituency while the candidates who places second or third will receive no seats, regardless of how many votes they lose by. Proportional representation is the second form of electoral system used in Canada; the percentage of the votes received by a party is proportionate to the numb...

    Read More

  • Regionalism in Canada

    1815 Words  | 4 Pages

    Milner, Henry. First Past the Post? Progress Report on Electoral Reform Initiatives in Canadian Provinces. Ottawa: Institute for Research and Public Policy, 5(9), 2004.

    Read More

More about The Electoral System Of Proportionality In Canada

Open Document