Skip to content

LETTER: Electoral reform is needed now

Dear editor: The federal election system in Canada needs a major overhaul for many reasons. Firstly, the Bloc Quebecois party received 7.9% of the popular vote and earned 32 seats in parliament. The Green Party of Canada received 6.
Ballot Box

Dear editor:

The federal election system in Canada needs a major overhaul for many reasons.

Firstly, the Bloc Quebecois party received 7.9% of the popular vote and earned 32 seats in parliament.

The Green Party of Canada received 6.4% of the popular vote and earned 3 seats in parliament.

Secondly, the Green Party of Canada is a Federal Party with all of Canada's interests in mind

The Bloc is Quebec only party with only Quebec's narrow interests in mind.

Thirdly, no party should be permitted to run federally in Canada without running candidates in at least 90% of the ridings across the country.

Fourthly, we must rid ourselves of this archaic "first past the post" system and bring the country's electoral system into the 21st century.

Fifthly, make voting compulsory. Australia has created a system where all polling days are held on a Saturday; there are barbecues and drinks and a party atmosphere at each polling station. The fine for not voting: a piddly $20. The result: 92% voter turnout and who cares if a few votes are spoiled.

Michael Trigg
West Vancouver

What are your thoughts? Send us a letter via email by clicking here or post a comment below.