[fvc-wat-disc] article in today's Globe and Mail Focus section

[Cathy Scott]

Did anyone else read the article, ‘ Why a Failed Bid for Electoral Reform is a Win for Canada’ written by William A. MacDonald?

I’d like to hear the understanding of this article by a more expert political mind than mine.

I find it rather mind-boggling.  It seems to me that the author is  crediting the FPTP electoral system with  any beneficial development in Canadian politics over the  past century or so.

Does this article make sense and am I missing something?

Cathy 

 

From: fvc-wat-disc [mailto:fvc-wat-disc-bounces at listserv.thinkers.org] On Behalf Of Donald Fraser
Sent: Friday, February 10, 2017 9:47 AM
To: FVC Waterloo Region Discussion
Subject: [fvc-wat-disc] Justin's Iqaluit argument re Fringe Parties gaining power to influence policy

 

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

 

========================

 

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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