[fvc-wat-disc] Lobbying avaaz.org

[Bryn Ossington]

Hi Kevin and everyone,

I think this is a great idea. Avaaz can be controversial at times but I
think getting them to trumpet our cause is a great way to bring some serious
exposure.


Bryn Ossington

On 29 May 2011 22:53, Kevin Smith <kevedsmith at gmail.com> wrote:

> 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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