Your Vote

Your Vote - Canada 2008

Yesterday's election results disappointed me. It's no secret that I am not the biggest fan of the Conservative Party, but their minority win is not what is bothering me. It's a minority, and there is room for diplomacy there. It's the shear number of Canadians who just didn't bother to vote. 41% of us couldn't take the time to do the responsible thing and vote.

That means that 41% of Canadians are in absolutely no position to complain about the government. If you didn't vote, I don't want to hear a single word from you about the economy, education funding, defence policy, government spending practises, foreign policy, trade issues or unemployment. If you didn't vote, you have no say.

I went to vote yesterday with three other people. It took the four of us less than 8 minutes to vote, including one who actually had to be registered at the polls. It's not a terribly demanding exercise. You show some ID, put an x on a ballot, and leave. It takes 30 seconds.

Canada needs to investigate three things to bring out the vote: Proportional Representation, Compulsory voting and Senate reform/abolition.

Proportional Representation would allocate seats according to the share of the overall popular vote each party received. There are formulae that also guarantee local representation and room for independents (see New Zealand's Mixed-Member proportional system).

Compulsory voting, as in Australia, would ensure that many more Canadians voted. Australian voter turnout rates are in the high 90s percentage wise, and Australia has one of the world's strongest democracies. Australia is probably the society with the most similarities to Canada on Earth, so an examination of this practise is worthwhile.

Senate reform is also essential, either through electing members or just getting rid of the chamber altogether. Canada's provinces all function democratically with unicameral legislatures, why should Parliament be any different? The current situation is wasteful and only provides a retirement home for the good old boys of the party in power.

Anyway, 41% of Canada's people have eschewed a responsibility of citizenship and should really examine their conscience. If you don't feel you need to vote, please pay for your doctor and give back your passport. Thanks.