MPs reject democratic upgrade
Canada is a very free country, but unfortunately not a very democratic one. Not when our electoral system consistently gives us governments that most of us don’t choose. For example,…
voting systems
Calling all democrats
Every Canadian concerned about the quality of democracy in this country frets about the inability of our electoral system to do the thing it exists for—create a government that represents…
A bad night for politicians, but not so bad for the country
It was not a good night for political parties. Clearly, the voters were not about to commend the Liberals for their four years in power. And just as clearly, they…
My Relulctant Strategic Vote
Here’s an irony. I’m forced to vote Liberal (again) because Justin Trudeau betrayed me. No, it doesn’t make any sense and, furthermore, it pisses me off. But that’s just the…
Democraphobia Runs Rampant in North America
The fear of democracy has a long history. Plato was mistrustful of the demos, believing it would be subject to bullies and to tyrants. In England, the storming of the…
Democraphobia Runs Rampant in North America
The fear of democracy has a long history. Plato was mistrustful of the demos, believing it would be subject to bullies and to tyrants. In England, the storming of the…
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…
Hey Canada, Step Into the 21st Century: Stop Outsourcing Governance of the Nation
I get the Empire Loyalist thing. The way we go about running our society is firmly anchored in our colonial past. Canada is a proud member of the British Empire.…
Hey Canada, Step Into the 21st Century: Stop Outsourcing Governance of the Nation
I get the Empire Loyalist thing. The way we go about running our society is firmly anchored in our colonial past. Canada is a proud member of the British Empire.…
Hey Canada, Step Into the 21st Century: Stop Outsourcing Governance of the Nation
I get the Empire Loyalist thing. The way we go about running our society is firmly anchored in our colonial past. Canada is a proud member of the British Empire.…
Electoral reform—PR is not a voting system
Observing debates about electoral reform online and elsewhere, I notice one error cropping up consistently: the notion that proportional representation, like first-past-the-post, is a voting system. It isn’t, of course.…