[fvc-wat-disc] Devastating news

[Jennifer Ross]

Devastating news this morning.  This is a quick translation from an
exclusive interview with Le Devoir.
http://www.ledevoir.com/politique/canada/482514/la-
reforme-electorale-n-est-plus-garantie

As we celebrate the first anniversary of his election to the government,
Justin Trudeau looks to the future and recognize the many projects
ahead. Energy
East, indigenous communities, but also promised electoral reform last year
and on which the Prime Minister no longer guarantees that it will go ahead.

"If we are going to change the electoral system requires that people be
open to that," dropped Justin Trudeau, in exclusive interview with Le
Devoir this week to take stock of the past year. "We will look at how to
place the consultations, reactions, results reporting. We will not prejudge
what would be necessary [to change the ballot method]. But when we say
substantial support, it means something. "

Justin Trudeau was adamant during the election campaign last year: the 2015
election would be "the last federal election organized in a plurality
voting in one round." But since his Minister for Democratic Institutions
Maryam Monsef has qualified that the Liberal government would act "only if
there is broad support from Canadians." Justin Trudeau, he had never
specified the threshold of support he deemed necessary to implement its
election promise.

If he endorses the warning of his minister, though he says that "there are
levels" possible reform. "Less downforce and a small change, it might be
acceptable. A bigger change, it would take a bigger support, he
suggested. What's
a big change? What's a little change? All these thoughts then, that's why
you have to have rigorous conversations with intelligent Canadians. "

Less appetite?

The Prime Minister is satisfied were somehow a victim of its electoral
success. Because if people strongly supported the liberal idea, after the
last election would have mitigated their impatience he said.

"Under Mr. [Stephen] Harper, there were so many unhappy people in
government and approach people said" it takes an electoral reform to avoid
having government we do not like. " But under the current system, they now
have a government with which they are more satisfied. And motivation to
want to change the electoral system is less compelling [or less glaring],
"argued Mr. Trudeau.

The Liberals appointed a parliamentary committee to consult experts in the
field, as well as other political enties who changed their voting system. The
single-seat models a turn, proportional or preferential were studied, as
well as compulsory voting or electronic. Justin Trudeau he promises to
comply with its recommendations, due December 1? "Is that a government
remains committed to automatically apply any result of the committee? Never,
replied the Prime Minister. But it is an essential tool to frame a possible
government decision. "

The Liberals, however, have to rely also on the views of Canadians, who
were invited to share with the committee, but also at citizens' assemblies
organized by the deputies or the Minister Monsef. "Unfortunately, want not
want a big concern for political parties is their immediate survival and
their ability to finance. So, yes, I will watch with close attention to
their concerns, I will consider it, absolutely. It is an important work
they are doing. But this is not the only work that is being done in this
broader thinking, "argued the premier.

-- 
No other Western democratic country concentrates as much political power in
the hands of one person as Canada does with her Prime Minister.
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