Edie Cairns | Feb 16, 2017
Did I wish/hope to see a different electoral system than First Past The Post? You bet your socks I did! Am I disappointed that will not be the case for the next election, yes, very. The real question I should have asked and answered however, is, “Was I surprised at the seeming turn around to explore different options?” That would be a no.
In April of 2005 I was visiting family in British Columbia. All over were large highway signs promoting electoral reform options in the May referendum. I was excited. I was so pleased to see a jurisdiction actually addressing the discrepancy of First Past The Post and doing something about it. The question in that referendum was heavily defeated 60% to 40%.
How very naive I was then, and apparently am now. Next time you are out and about the village ask those you meet, “Do you wish to see a change in our voting system?” Not, ‘ is Trudeau a turn-coat, dishonest vote-grabber’, just ‘Do you want another system?’ I think you will hear the answer is no. When asked and surveyed in much larger numbers and over a wider geographical area, the majority of ordinary Canadians said no. Not the political junkies or the academics, just ordinary people like you and me.
It is not what I wanted to hear personally, but I can live with the decision to not try to force a change at great expense at a fragile time in North America.
Sorry Mr. Editor, you and I almost always agree about these sorts of issues. Not this time my friend. Maybe I’m getting old.
Edie Cairns
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