I’m a believer in the notion that the best government is a do-nothing government, or at least one that is severely gridlocked. To quote James Madison, on checks and balances: “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition.” I think this is especially important in our Westminster system, as the prime minister can potentially be very powerful if his party holds a majority of seats. Introducing proportional representation could possibly achieve this, and Ontario will be voting on it come October.
From the Toronto Star:
Ontario voters will decide in the October election whether to adopt a revamped electoral system that advocates say will give the province a more co-operative government and could prompt electoral change across the country.
A citizens’ assembly, appointed by the government last year, overwhelmingly decided today that the referendum question put to voters in the Oct. 10 election should ask whether they want to adopt the system used in Germany and New Zealand called “mixed member proportional.”
I’m a little apprehensive about the mixed member proportional system that has been suggested. One thing that I’m not sure I like the idea of is having 39 members of provincial parliament essentially appointed by their respective parties. There is the possibility that these MPPs could become out of touch with the people and could lack accountability, having no actual riding to report to.
Then again, the only way a lot of smaller parties could get representation in the legislature will be through such members-at-large. When it comes to ideas, the more diverse the legislature, the better. I’d love for the Libertarian Party to get a member in. In addition, it could result in the parties including larger numbers of women and minorities, such as aboriginals, who otherwise might be disproportionately represented in the house in comparison to the population of Ontario.
But I do feel that it could put too much power in the hands of political parties. The public will have no say as to who is put on the party lists for the 39 extra seats. As well, coalition-making and deals behind closed doors by party insiders could become the norm when it comes to forming a government. At the moment, I’m undecided, but the next six months should be very interesting. Can’t wait for this debate to begin.
