[fvc-wat-disc] Justin Trudeau reneges on Electoral Reform

[Jennifer Ross]

 http://www.ledevoir.com/politique/canada/482514/la-
reforme-electorale-n-est-plus-garantie

On Wed, Oct 19, 2016 at 3:47 PM, Bob Jonkman <bjonkman at sobac.com> wrote:

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> Justin Trudeau says that now that the Liberals are in power, there is
> no longer a need for Electoral Reform. That kind of unilateral
> powergrabbing is a perfect example of why FPTP and false majorities
> are such a pernicious evil. It is probably also one of the reasons so
> many ERRE submissions advocated for recall legislation.
>
> - From a translation of an article in Le Devoir, forwarded to me by
> Jennifer Ross (Jenn, do you have a link or source for this?):
>
> =====
>  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
> [prime minister].
> =====
> - --
>
>
> - --
> Bob Jonkman <bjonkman at sobac.com>          Phone: +1-519-635-9413
> SOBAC Microcomputer Services             http://sobac.com/sobac/
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-- 
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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