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

[Sharon Sommerville]

Hi Les,

That is a very good question and one that I don't have a complete answer
for but it might be worthwhile to submit comments to the ERRE committee
online and make it clear in your comments that you are an elected official
and your comments reflect your experience as such.

You can submit a brief or answer the e-questionaire here:

http://www.parl.gc.ca/Committees/en/ERRE/StudyActivity?studyActivityId=9013025

Jenn do you have anything else to add?

Will also forward your question to Anita, who may have some additional
ideas.

Thank you for your support Les.

Best regards,
Sharon

On Wed, Sep 28, 2016 at 8:06 AM, Les Kadar <leskadar at rogers.com> wrote:

> Good morning Sharron.
> Does FVC have any recommendations or policies for elected officials who
> may be in support of this effort, with respect to their positions on local
> councils, relative to voting in favour of motions that may promote or
> encourage progress of alternative voting methods such as being discussed
> and recommended here to the current first past the post system.
> Thks
>
>
> Les Kadar
> iPad email
>
> On Sep 25, 2016, at 1:05 PM, Sharon Sommerville <
> sharonsommerville at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> 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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