Canadian Electoral Reform

[Aaron]

MMP systems are good, but they create two types of MPs; those that represent constituents and those that do not. Will the voice of a non-constituent-based MP have the same weight as a constituent-based MP?

That is one of the failings of the system. Generally, it has been observed in countries that use MMP that MPs without constituencies are still very active in the constituency where they live. I think that a non-constituency MP would have more legitimacy if they were elected to the Houe off of an open party list.

The open list seems like a good idea, but wouldn't having an open list essentially create the same kind of SMP system we have now? Just curious.

I don't think so. The idea is that each person has two votes. Usually, the idea is that the first vote is cast for your local representative who will represent your constituency in the House (the system we use now). The second vote is for the party of your choice. The parties each provide a list of as many candidates as there are proportional seats contested. If a party wins 6 proportional seats, the first 6 candidates on the list sit in the House.

The problem with this "closed list" is that the parties have a large amount of power. Generally, the percentage of the popular vote that a party receives doesn't fluctuate by more than about 5% either way. Lets say there are 100 contested proportional seats. This means that if a party usually wins 30% of the vote, then the first 20 or so candidates and the top 60 or so don't really need to campaign - they will either get in, or they won't, but it is known before hand. numbers 21 to 39 will be actively campaigning, because they know that they have a chance, but it isn't decided.

The other option is an "open list". The second vote cast is still for a party, but the elector will vote for a specific candidate on the list. The votes are still counted proportionally. If a party wins 6 proportional seats, then the 6 candidates on the list with the most votes will win seats. This takes control away from the party.

The chances of STV being adopted federally are very slim, although it will most likely be used in BC. Personally, since STV is pretty much not going to happen, I would support an open list MMP in its stead.

 

[_AJ_]

Preferencial voting is not really a proportional system since it fails will still fail to consistently represent the first choices of the voters of less popular parties, resulting in an over-representation of major parties in parliament. It is certainly better since it gives each voter the opportunity to "change" their vote if their candidate fails, somewhat leading to a reduced instance of vote waste, but if PV was implemented in Canada, it would still be likely that a party with 40% of the first-choice vote will get more than 50% of the seats and parties like the Green Party getting 5% of the first-choice vote having no seats.

the main advantage of preferential voting for me being an australian is that i can vote for a minor party of my preferance but i still know that i havent thrown my vote away and that if my candidate isnt sucessful then my vote counts

what voting system do you have in canada?

 

[Aaron]

Canada uses Single Member Plurality, which is also known less accurately as First Past the Post.

 

[MizuRyuu]

i personally favor the reform.... really don't like the old system.... the system being looked at would allow smaller parties who got a fair bit of votes to still have a voice in the government