[fvc-wat-disc] Justin's Iqaluit argument re Fringe Parties gaining power to influence policy

[Donald Fraser]

Before I send this, I just need to confirm that the remark was made in
Iqaluit ... does anybody know for sure? The article was run on CBC National
this morning

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Friday, February 10, 2017

Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau.



Hello Justin,



 Your argument yesterday in Iqaluit criticizing Proportional Representation
(PR) for allowing fringe parties to determine policy is an old one and
easily refuted as I’m sure you must know.



 Most practicing PR countries use an “Election Threshold” (ET), which is a
minimum required percentage of the national vote that a party must receive
before it can have representation in Parliament. The effect of ET is to
deny representation to fringe parties whose purpose is to destabilize
normal government procedures. In the case of Germany and New Zealand, for
example, both of which use Mixed Member PR (MMPR … the best system for
Canada) if a party gains local directly elected seats, they are retained
regardless but those MPs are not permitted to decide a critical vote on an
important issue unless the party has achieved ET.



 Your use of this “straw man” argument is amateurish. Why not just admit
that your Party enjoys its majority and anticipates more of them under
FPTP?  This admission is at least honest if not admirable. However FPTP
leaves Canada vulnerable to a Harper-clone-Trumpist majority, the
possibility of which looms as a result of the candidates we observe
competing for the Conservative leadership.





Yours Truly,

Donald A Fraser,
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