AlolanVulpix

joined 3 years ago
MODERATOR OF
[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago

That's certainly a creative thought! While I appreciate the outside-the-box thinking, I think such an approach might actually undermine the fundamental principles that electoral reform advocates are fighting for.

The current ballot protest is designed to highlight how our FPTP system fails to provide meaningful representation. Creating deliberate confusion with identical names shifts from highlighting systemic problems to potentially interfering with voters' ability to express their actual preferences.

The goal of proportional representation isn't to break the current system through loopholes, but to build a better one where every vote genuinely counts. Credibility matters in this movement - we need to demonstrate that we're advocating for a more fair and functional democracy, not just finding creative ways to obstruct the current one.

That said, I do appreciate the energy behind finding ways to make electoral reform impossible to ignore! If you're looking for effective ways to advance this cause, check out Simple things you can do right now to grow the proportional representation movement. There are many constructive actions that can help us build momentum toward real change.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago

I completely agree with your assessment. This ballot protest is indeed a powerful yet peaceful way to highlight the fundamental flaws in our electoral system.

Your preference for proportional representation over ranked ballots is well-founded. While ranked ballots (IRV) might seem like an improvement, they're still a winner-take-all system that wastes votes. Under Single Transferable Vote (STV), you can actually have both ranked ballots AND proportional representation!

If you're looking to help advance the PR movement, check out: Simple things you can do right now, to grow the proportional representation movement

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago

You're absolutely right - electoral reform truly is a gift to future generations. What we're seeing with the Longest Ballot Committee is just one creative expression of the deep frustration many Canadians feel with our current system.

The beauty of proportional representation is that it solves a fundamental democratic problem: in our current system, millions of perfectly valid ballots have zero effect on election outcomes. In the 2022 Ontario election alone, about 2.5 million votes (54% of those cast) elected nobody at all.

Democracy requires that every vote counts and affects outcomes. Anything less undermines the legitimacy of our government.

If you'd like to help grow the PR movement beyond ballot protests, check out this link: Simple things you can do right now, to grow the proportional representation movement - so we never have to vote for the lesser of evils, split the vote, or vote strategically again.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago

Yeah, that's frustrating. Login requirements are a barrier to participation and raise privacy concerns.

Still, the CBC giving electoral reform national attention is an opportunity we can't waste. If you're comfortable using Google, it might be worth the tradeoff just to show the CBC that proportional representation matters to Canadians.

Every chance to highlight how our current system discards millions of votes helps build momentum for PR.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

That's awesome! These grassroots efforts are exactly how we'll build enough public pressure to finally get proportional representation. When everyday Canadians step up like this, it shows politicians this isn't just a niche issue - it's about the fundamental democratic right to have our votes actually count. Thank you for helping move us closer to a democracy where every vote matters!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

That's really frustrating! Fair Vote Canada is mostly volunteer-run, but that's still a disappointing experience. If you're still interested in helping, maybe try reaching out directly to your local team coordinator through their website? Every volunteer effort helps build momentum toward finally getting PR implemented.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

The skepticism is understandable after Trudeau's 2015 broken promise. But there's a difference between parties - Green🟢, NDP🟧, and some independents consistently support proportional representation.

That's why I focus on supporting candidates who champion PR, rather than parties who've repeatedly demonstrated they won't deliver. Cynicism is a natural response, but it's not a solution.

Public support for PR is at 68%. The question isn't if we'll get proportional representation, but when. And that depends on us continuing to advocate despite past disappointments.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Haha, I appreciate the enthusiasm from our southern neighbours! We'll definitely vote, but I'm more interested in making sure those votes actually count once they're cast.

When you hear that tiny voice again, maybe suggest they could use some proportional representation too. Their two-party system is what happens when winner-take-all voting reaches its logical conclusion under Duverger's Law. We're not far behind unless we fix our system.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago

They do look great! The design is clean, and the messaging is spot-on. Grassroots efforts like this are exactly how we'll build the momentum needed to finally get proportional representation in Canada.

It's encouraging to see that 68% of Canadians already support PR. The more people who understand how our current system wastes millions of votes, the closer we get to meaningful reform!

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago

I'm glad you voted! Expanded voting access like advance polls is definitely a positive change. Making voting more convenient and accessible benefits everyone.

But of course, while accessibility is important, the fundamental issue remains that under our current FPTP system, millions of perfectly valid votes will have zero effect on the election outcome. No matter how convenient we make voting, we still need proportional representation to ensure every vote actually counts.

Do you know which candidates in your riding support proportional representation?

 

London North Centre GPO/ London Centre GPC on Bluesky

Day 3 of advance polls from 9:00 to 9:00. Advance polls are also open on Monday. Your Voter Information Card (VIC) has the location. If you didn't yet receive your VIC, check the Voter Information Service at: www.elections.ca/scripts/vis/...

Vote for @maryannhodge.bsky.social in London Centre!

 

Alberta NDP on Bluesky

We’re building momentum, shaping our vision, and getting ready to defeat the UCP in 2027—and it all starts with you.

Join us next weekend in Edmonton for the 2025 Alberta NDP Convention!

#BetterIsPossible #BetterStartsNow #ABNDP

Register ⬇️

https://www.meet-here.ca/ABNDPConvention2025

Note that the ABNDP Convention 2025 is scheduled to take place: May 2 - 4, Edmonton Convention Centre.

 

Jagmeet Singh on Bluesky

I voted!!

Together we can create a Canada that works for everyone – a home you can afford, better health care services, and a bright future for our communities.

If you believe in this Canada, there’s still time to vote with us today.

Go to howyouvote.ca for more details.

Alt text: NDP leader Jagmeet Singh, wearing a pink turban and a light blue shirt, casting a ballot at an Elections Canada voting station. He has a grey beard and is carefully placing his vote into a white ballot box marked with the number 612. The voting location is a school gymnasium with yellow walls, blue and red banners in the background, and other voters visible around him. Singh appears focused and deliberate as he participates in the democratic process. Alt text: NDP leader Jagmeet Singh and a woman in a pink top walking past a bright yellow Elections Canada "VOTE" sign with an arrow pointing left. Singh is wearing a pink turban and light blue shirt, with a grey beard. The background features evergreen trees and autumn-colored foliage, with other voters visible in the distance. The scene is set on a sidewalk near a street, capturing the atmosphere of an election day.

 

Actually Akshay on Bluesky

Dropped off some more door-hanging flyers! Didn't see many folks this time, but every one of them was interested and learned about @fairvote.ca, so I'm feeling good.

Alt text: A Fair Vote Canada door hanger flyer with five colorful sections explaining the benefits of proportional representation. The top section reads "Why proportional representation?" with a subtitle "I want my vote to count, and I want my neighbour's vote to count. That's proportional representation." The sections are color-coded from top to bottom: Purple: "30% of the vote = 30% of the seats" with subtitle "That's fair!". Yellow: "Power is shared" with subtitle "No more 39% majorities!". Blue: "We can vote for what we believe in" with subtitle "Every vote will count!". Green: "Cooperative decision-making" with subtitle "For our future!". Orange: "We'll all have an MP we helped elect" with subtitle "Representation that works!". The flyer is being held by a hand against a background of concrete and grass. Alt text: A Fair Vote Canada informational flyer displaying a pie chart showing public support for proportional representation. The pie chart is predominantly blue, with 68% labeled as "Support", 19% as "Oppose", and 13% as "Don't Know". The top of the flyer features the Fair Vote Canada logo with a maple leaf. The text explains that under the current first-past-the-post system, a party can form a "majority government" with less than 40% of the popular vote. It emphasizes that a strong majority of Canadians support proportional representation and calls for MPs to work together to implement electoral reform. The bottom of the flyer includes a QR code and the website www.faivote.ca. The flyer is being held by a hand against a background of concrete and grass, with multiple copies of the flyer visible.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago

Alt text: A two-part political infographic from Fair Vote Canada. Left side (white background): "A Mark Carney-led government will: → Build a Canada where everyone has a fair shot, feels a sense of belonging, and contributes to our shared future by reshaping systems to better reflect and support all Canadians and make sure that no matter your heritage or identity you can fully participate in Canada."

Right side (black and yellow background): "The best way to reshape our systems to better reflect Canadians so every Canadian can contribute to our shared future is with proportional representation."

The Fair Vote Canada logo is located in the bottom right corner of the image.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 months ago

Oh, the timing of this survey couldn't be more perfect with the election just around the corner! Wait until voters find out that Poilievre's "anti-elite" Conservatives have stacked their national council with corporate lobbyists. Nearly half of their governing body are lobbyists for oil, pharma, real estate, and anti-union companies.

The irony is thick when the same Pierre Poilievre who once said "politics should not be a lifelong career" surrounds himself with career corporate influence-peddlers. Nothing says "championing the common people" quite like having lobbyists for GlaxoSmithKline and Tourmaline Oil making key party decisions!

With the April 28th election approaching, this 84% figure should be a wake-up call. Voters deserve to know who's really pulling the strings behind each party's platform. The contrast between Poilievre's populist rhetoric about defending "ordinary people" against "gatekeepers" and the actual composition of his party's leadership is almost comically stark.

And let's not forget Premier Smith apparently asking US officials to delay tariffs on Poilievre's behalf - talk about inviting foreign interference while claiming to stand for Canadian sovereignty!

Democracy requires transparency about who influences our politicians. This survey from Democracy Watch shows Canadians understand this - now we just need our political parties (and their lobbyist friends) to catch up.

view more: ‹ prev next ›