[fvc-wat-disc] Lobbying avaaz.org

[Kevin Smith]

Hi folks:

I recently contacted avaaz.org about the proportional representation issue
in Canada.
This is a powerful online advocacy organization.  If we could get their
numbers
trumpeting our cause, that would be a big boost to us.

They can be reached at:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/contact/

And here is the message I sent them:

Dear Avaaz:

Canada has recently elected another "false majority" government -- one that
has a majority of seats in the House of Commons, and 100% of the executive
and legislative power, with the support of only 40% of those who actually
voted, and about 25% of eligible voters.

Many of us feel this is wrong, and that it is time that Canada joins most
modern democracies by switching to a system of proportional representation.
Then, no party could have a majority government without appealing to at
least 50% of the voting public.

It would also give smaller parties more of a voice.  For instance, the Green
party got almost 4% of the vote in the last election, and won its first
seat, but it would receive 12 seats under a proportional system.  (There are
currently 308 seats in the House of Commons.)

I imagine that the current government would resist this change, even though
their leader has supported it in the past.  They're benefiting too much from
the current system.

However, opposition parties and civil society groups might be convinced to
work together and launch a national dialogue around a new system that most
parties could get behind, and hopefully implement it in four years' time.

It's a long process to decide on a new system, but if we had a campaign to
kickstart the discussion now, it might be achievable.

In the days after the election, Fair Vote Canada received 2000 e-mails from
people interested in joining, so I think this is definitely the right time
to give this issue a big push.

Thanks,
Kevin Smith
Canada
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