I would like to update you on an emerging issue that is sure to dominate headlines.
The Liberals want to change our voting system, a system we have used for several hundred years since elected legislatures were established in Canada.
Currently, Canada has what is commonly called the “first-past-the-post” system. In this system, the country is divided into ridings, each with roughly the same population. In each riding, constituents vote for one of the candidates on the ballot. The candidate with the greatest number of votes becomes the riding’s MP.
In a riding where there are three or more candidates, and where the votes are widely distributed, it is not unusual for a candidate to get elected with less than 50 per cent of the vote. This system is also referred to as a “single-member-district-plurality” system and the world’s two oldest democracies, the U.K. and U.S., also use this system. As a result, in every general election since 1867 except two, the party that won a majority of seats did so with less than 50 % of the popular vote.
Some argue our voting system needs to be changed. Some have proposed alternatives, like proportional representation, mixed member systems, preferential ballots, etc. While there is not sufficient space here to explain the various systems, it is important to note two things.
First, the Liberals have said that they would like to change our voting system and implement a preferential ballot. Second, it is clear that if the last election were determined on a preferential ballot, it would have dramatically favoured the Liberal Party.
I believe that any change to our voting system must be first approved by Canadians in a referendum for two reasons.
The first is the principle involved. If a government is going to change the direct relationship between voters and the MPs they elect, they have to consult with those voters first. The Liberals were elected with less than 40% of the popular vote, giving them less than a majority mandate to put through this kind of quasi-constitutional change without a referendum. Furthermore, Canadians vote in general elections for a variety of reasons. It is safe to say that changing our voting system was not in the top two, or even three, reasons in the last election.
The second reason is precedent, both domestic and international. Over the last 10 years in Canada, three provincial governments have proposed changes to the voting system: British Columbia in 2005 and 2009, PEI in 2005, and Ontario in 2007. In all three cases, these provincial governments understood that any change to the voting system had to be put to the people first. Outside of Canada, two Westminster democracies have proposed changes to the voting system. The U.K. and New Zealand both put the question to the people first in referenda in 2011.
Regardless of what change the Liberal government proposes to our voting system, they must put it to the people first. I welcome your thoughts and views on this important issue.
Michael Chong can be reached at Michael.Chong@parl.gc.ca or 1-866-878-5556.