Referendum Takes Aim At Our Democracy.

On Oct. 10, Ontario will vote for a party to run the province but will also vote in the first referendum in 80 years. The question asks which electoral system should Ontario use to elect its MPPs? The existing system – whoever gets most votes wins — or the proposed system that incorporates proportional representation, creating two classes of politicians: those elected by voters and those appointed by parties.

The proposed system would have three obvious results:

1. The number of seats in the legislature would increase from 107 to 129.

2. At the same time, the ridings would be redrawn, expanded and reduced in number from 107 to 90.

3. That would leave 39 new unelected seats in the legislative assembly. These seats would be divided up, according to the percentage of votes each party receives. Suppose the NDP won two seats but 10 per cent of the popular vote. The NDP would then have its six members (two who won their ridings and 10 per cent of the 39 non-voting seats) sitting in the legislative assembly.

There’s nothing to cheer about in any of this. Twenty-two more MPPs? Please God, no. Your MPP would also represent more people, which would mean less access for you and there would be fewer rural seats. But the big issue here is that there would be 39 unelected MPPs with 100 per cent party loyalty and none to you the voter. Do you think those unelected 39 are more likely to represent the interest of a farmer, rural dweller, traditional family or some Toronto social engineering lobby group?

I’m wondering how this goofy question made it to a referendum in the first place. The last thing we need is a pocket of politicians who get their ideas from the subculture of politicians, who are increasingly geared to reacting, rather than relying on the principle of serving the common good.

Electoral reform would certainly be a boon for small parties. Where this system exists the number of parties increases as they have a better chance at getting a foothold in government decision making. Sounds fair but voters should want elected politicians who answer to them. Under the proportional system, the politician your riding voted out could stay, creating a new career opportunity for the unelected has-been. History shows the proportional vote simply weakens democracy and governments. Minority governments would become increasingly likely, and we would be back into back-room deals, horsetrading and making concessions to get concessions. Italy has been on the proportional voting system since the Second World War and is on its 62nd government. Not surprisingly, there is always talk in Italy of finding a new way.

The situation in Belgium is now worse. Twenty years ago it was a prospering, stable nation. Then the electoral system changed to proportional representation and two strong parties were reduced to sharing power with 33 political parties and a plethora of interests in a landscape of chaos. The last election was on June 10 but a government has yet to be formed. Separatist interests are rising and there is increasing fear the country will be split in two. Try passing legislation in that climate.

Vote for the existing electoral system on Oct. 10 and save us from appointed politicians and more politicians. Thankfully, the proposed system that includes proportional representation needs approval by 60 per cent of voters.