Alex’s Blog 2016-05-12 18:36:30
A couple of days back, Ed Broadbent, Hugh Segal and I published an op-ed making the case for some form of proportional representation. Yesterday the government announced its process for…
proportional representation
New column day
Here, on how Justin Trudeau's control over the federal electoral reform committee looks to extend a familiar pattern of top-down government into the design of our electoral system. (And I'll…
The Fat Is In The Fire
In a superb piece for the Globe and Mail, Ed Broadbent, Alex Himelfarb and Hugh Segal argue that Canada needs true proportional representation. Nothing else will do:The central problem with…
39% is not a majority: fair voting now
Will you sign a declaration to make Canada more democratic?Declaration of Voters' RightsAnd some myth-busting about proportional representation:A ranked ballot is not a voting system.How will anything get done?Is proportional…
Wednesday Morning Links
Miscellaneous material for your mid-week reading.- Carol Goar summarizes the Institute for Research on Public Policy's review of the steps needed to rein in inequality in the long term, while…
New column day
Here, expanding on this post as to Nathan Cullen's proposal to make sure the outcomes of all plausible electoral systems are taken into account in designing a new one. For…
Sunday Morning Links
This and that for your Sunday reading.- Heather Stewart discusses the possibility of a 20-hour work week to better distribute both work and income. And without going that far, Andrew…
On double majorities
Nathan Cullen's proposal for party representation on the Parliamentary committee reviewing electoral reform has received plenty of attention. But it might actually go much further than advertised to validate the…
On strategic choices
Christopher Kam's series of posts on political parties' strategy surrounding electoral reform is definitely worth a read. But I'll stand by the view that there's another alternative interpretation of the…
On standards for reform
Others have duly criticized the Star's editorial on electoral reform. But I'll argue that it can be brought in line with reasonable expectations with one important change.Simply put, it's not…
FPTP Or Not FPTP?
I don't mind the Cullen/Coyne option, where we adopt a new system, have one election under it to see how we like it, and then have a referendum, where going…
Tuesday Morning Links
This and that for your Tuesday reading.- Nicholas Fitz observes that inequality is far worse than the U.S. public believes - even as it already wants to see significant action.…
Saturday Morning Links
Assorted content for your weekend reading.- Paul Krugman discusses the connection between concentrated wealth and extreme anti-social political behaviour:Wealth can be bad for your soul. That’s not just a hoary…
Thursday Morning Links
This and that for your Thursday reading.- Owen Jones writes that the UK's flooding is just one example of what happens when the public sector which is supposed to look…
Why a referendum on electoral reform would be a very bad idea
The need for electoral reform in Canada has never been more stark. We have just endured nine years of government by a political party that over sixty per cent of…
On failed diversions
Not surprisingly given my previous comments on the Libs' electoral reform promise, it's a plus that they're sticking with it rather than giving in to any demand for a referendum.…
Thursday Morning Links
This and that for your Thursday reading.- Desmond Cole rightly slams the stinginess of Ontario's government in taking support away from parents based on child support which isn't actually received.…
On voting from experience
If I have any concern with Nathan Cullen's suggestion that Canada hold a referendum on electoral reform only after seeing a different system in action, it's that it may concede…
New column day
Here, expanding on these posts as to what might come next as Canada's political parties map out their strategies on electoral reform.For further reading...- Chantal Hebert wonders whether Justin Trudeau…