[fvc-wat-disc] Report From Wednesday Night at the ERRE Committee Meeting In Toronto

[Sharon Sommerville]

Hello FairVoting Friends,


Last Wednesday, the Electoral Reform Committee met with expert witnesses
and the public in Toronto.  Four of our FairVote community, Shannon &
Michael Purvess-Smith, Dave Arthur and myself, attended the meeting.
Shannon & Michael attended the expert witness testimony session during the
day and Dave & I were at the open mic session in the late afternoon and
evening.
There was a strong component of FairVote members, labour representatives
and Green Party supporters.
We would like to share our impressions of the meeting.

The first witness spoke for keeping FPTP and admitted he was giving opinion
not evidence, and did not seem to have much grasp of PR options.

The other witness in the first session was a provincial electoral officer
spoke for keeping voting simple, offered good points on electoral matters,
and may have been wary of difficulties instituting a new system.

Neither of the first group seemed as well prepared for the committee’s
questions as experts seen in the parliamentary sessions.

The second group of witnesses were good with the focus on accommodating
Canadians with disabilities including the problems of voting for the blind.
They also spoke of the need for more opportunities in politics for women.

The committee appeared unbiased, non-partisan, polite and generous to the
witnesses, and critical only when obviously necessary.

The public had 2 minutes each at the open mic. Dave and I both spoke.  In
total, eighty eight people spoke.
Most of them, 95+ %, were in support of proportional representation and no
referendum.

A few people, 5 or 6, spoke in support of a referendum and fewer for
keeping FPTP, generating.

There was great diversity in the speakers age and backgrounds.  It was
exciting and hopeful to hear that almost everyone want change and a fair
electoral system.
With PR, MMP seemed to be most preferred with a couple interesting
variations proposed.
One of the most compelling speakers was a fellow from Barrie who spoke in
favour of PR and said that his grandson who is in the Cdn. Forces had just
rec'd his paratrooper wings. The gentleman reported that his grandson may
be sent to a dangerous hotspot and could be killed. He said, if you can
send Cdns. to a place where they might get killed without a referendum then
you really don't need a referendum to change how we vote. His comments
received thunderous applause.

At the end of the meeting, I asked Alexandre Boulerice, an NDP member from
Quebec if he thought the committee could reach a consensus.  He replied
that it would depend on the sincerity of the Liberals. It offered the
audience a good example of how a proportional governing body could work
together.

To speak directly to the committee, to have our views heard and recorded by
the MP's making the recommendation was an exciting and hopeful experience.

Best regards,
Sharon
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