[fvc-wat-disc] Fwd: Govt abandons vote reform

[Les Kadar]

Sharron had asked if I receive a response from Bryan May on my condemnation of the Liberal decision.
Please see the platform patented response below.
I don't buy it.


Les Kadar
iPad email

Begin forwarded message:

> From: <Bryan.May at parl.gc.ca>
> Date: February 9, 2017 at 3:20:02 PM EST
> To: <leskadar at rogers.com>
> Subject: RE: Govt abandons vote reform
> 
> Dear Les,
>  
> Thank you for your email regarding the Prime Minister’s decision to not change our current voting system.
>  
> As you are aware, the government has been consulting with Canadians over the course of the last year on how to approach electoral reform. Using town halls, an online survey, and the Electoral Reform (ERRE) committee, our current system was reviewed, and options for moving forward have been carefully considered. In Cambridge, MP May received hundreds of emails and phone calls from constituents over the last year, and he was pleased to host a town hall meeting in Kitchener with other regional MPs on this topic.
>  
> MP May has written commentary about this decision and posted it on our website. I’ve taken the liberty of including these comments below.
>  
> If you have any other questions regarding this, please feel free to reach out to me. If you would be interested in speaking with MP May to discuss this personally, please let me know and I would be happy to set up a call.
>  
> Thank you for your email,
>  
> 
> Dakota Burgin | Member’s Assistant
> 
> Office of Bryan May | Member of Parliament for Cambridge
> The Valour Building, Room 910
> Ottawa, Ontario  K1A 0A6
> Tel. (613) 996 – 1307
> Fax: (613) 996 – 8340
> 
> bryan.may at parl.gc.ca
>  
>  
> “Dear Neighbours,
> It’s my great pleasure and pride to serve as your Member of Parliament.
> Electoral reform is an important topic, and our government has consulted widely on this issue, hearing from almost 400,000 Canadians. In Cambridge, I’ve talked with hundreds of constituents, and I want to thank you for sharing your opinions and ideas.
> These consultations involved listening to the ideas, concerns and information presented across the country. The Electoral Reform (ERRE) Committee undertook a major study to review our system and look at options for moving forward, hundreds of thousands participated in an online survey, and tens of thousands of Canadians were engaged in local community events. I, along with the other Waterloo Region MPs, hosted an electoral reform town hall which brought out more than 250 people, including the Minister.
> After the surveys were completed, the ERRE report tabled, and Canadians were widely consulted, two things became clear: first, that there is no clear consensus on a mandate for change. Canadians were broadly divided on this issue. Second, there is no clear preferred voting system that emerged as an alternate option. A referendum on the topic would be unhelpful without a specific alternative option to vote for. Many individuals broadly support a system of proportional representation, but no consensus exists on a specific type of proportional system.
> We listened to people, learned what experts have to say, reached out to families, and understood how changes could influence all of us. However, believing in public consultation means that you have to actually listen to what people are saying.
> The government, in consultation, has decided that we will not be moving forward with plans to change our electoral system. The next election will be held using the First-Past-the-Post voting system.
> I know that there are strong cases both for and against making significant changes, and the government recognizes both sides of the argument. There simply is no consensus in Cambridge or across Canada at this time. Even if you strongly disagree with this decision, I don’t believe anyone will disagree that there are valid concerns with all sides of this argument.
> I want to sincerely thank the people who have contributed to this discussion. The individuals who called or emailed my office, on both sides of this issue, those who came out to the electoral reform town-halls, and people who offered up opinions and ideas when I met them in our community – thank you.
> Regardless of your circumstances, political affiliations, or beliefs, I’m here to help you with the federal issues that matter to you. Please contact my office if you have any questions or concerns.
>  
> Bryan May, MP”
>  
>  
>  
>  
>  
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Les Kadar [mailto:leskadar at rogers.com] 
> Sent: February 1, 2017 6:57 PM
> To: May, Bryan - M.P.
> Subject: Govt abandons vote reform
>  
> Unacceptable.
> It was a key pillar in my support for the party.
>  
>  
>  
> Les Kadar
> iPad email
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