Proportional Representation in Canada

 

Electoral reform is one of the most significant issues when it comes to the Canadian political scene. This is especially considering that there have been calls for the establishment of a more proportional system of government aimed at promoting the continued expansion of the democratic space in the country. The adoption of a proportional representation electoral system, despite the resistance it has got from a number of the major political parties, has the potential of making sure that there is the achievement of greater representation in parliament. I make the argument that the adoption of proportional representation will ensure that there is the establishment of fair voting policies, a reduction of exaggerated differences between the regions, and that government policy is established with the consent of the majority will of parliament.

The adoption of a proportional system of representation will ensure that there is the establishment of fair voting policies. The current voting system is one that essentially gives parties a false majority in parliament and this creates a situation where it is difficult to ensure that the will of the people is fulfilled. Instead, the political party with a parliamentary majority ends up essentially dictating policy without necessarily having to consult with other political parties and actors (Kedar, Harsgor, & Sheinerman, 2016). A consequence of this situation is that it ends up leading to the failure of the system being democratic because there is essentially a dictatorship over the political scene by one political party that does not represent the interests of all the members of society. Therefore, the adoption of a proportional representation system will make sure that there is the reduction of incidents of one party dictatorship over government policy because under such a system, all parties that pass a certain threshold in the elections will be eligible to gain parliamentary seats (Döring & Manow, 2017). Under such circumstances, fairer voting policies will not only encourage more individuals in society to vote, but it will also allow for political parties with a diversity of ideas that are good for the nation to gain representation.

Proportional representation has the potential of bringing an end to those instances where there are exaggerated differences between the various regions of the country. This is especially the case considering that political parties in Canada tend to be either regional, or are parties that favor some regions over others (Davidson et al., 2017). The current political system is therefore one that is skewed towards the parties that have the most parliamentary power; meaning that there is little democratic policy making.  Instead, the party that has a majority essentially favors those regions that it has the most support to the detriment of others. Therefore, the adoption of an electoral system that has proportional representation at its center ensures that there is the advancement of equal advantages for all the regions of Canada irrespective of political parties. Regional differences have often been exaggerated and exploited by regional political parties in order to ensure that they are able to maintain strong voter bases. However, with the introduction of proportional representation, it is likely that such moves will no longer be able to work for political parties. Instead, parties will focus more on the development of policies based on consensus rather than seeking to gain popularity in those regions where they believe that their power lies.

A significant aspect of proportional representation is that it ensures that governance is conducted by the will of the majority of parliament. In the current Canadian system, the political party that has a majority can make policies without having to consult with other parties (Norris, 1997). This is a trend that will no longer be able to work in a system where there is proportional representation because it will involve a situation where the party in power has to consult with all others before developing and implementing policies. Furthermore, under such a system, it is likely that no party will have an absolute majority in parliament meaning that it will be essential for coalitions to be formed and greater consultation to be made; making policies more democratic (Thames, 2017). Under such circumstances, it will be possible to make sure that there is the advancement of policies that benefit all the people in society that are represented in parliament rather than only a specific group of people, as is currently the case. It is also possible that minorities will also obtain greater representation especially considering that they currently have very little representation (Lazarus & Hall, 2016).

In conclusion, a proportional representation electoral system is pertinent because it will allow for democratic decision-making by government. It will further ensure that there is the creation of an environment where all political parties and their followers are able to gain the representation that can promote the achievement of greater democratic space. A consequence of such a situation is that the new system will make sure that there is the advancement of democracy throughout all the regions of Canada irrespective of political affiliation.