Proportional representation could reshape Canada’s political map and ease regional divides. Explore the implications for federal unity and party power.
Proportional Representation: A Disruptor to Canada’s Political Landscape
A quiet revolution may be on the horizon in Canadian politics — one that could dismantle regional power strongholds and offer more representative governance. Electoral reform, particularly proportional representation, is emerging as a credible alternative to the first-past-the-post system — and its potential impact is profound.
Cracks in the Fortress: What the Numbers Reveal
New research by Halifax-based MQO Research reveals that applying Brazil’s proportional representation model to Canada’s latest federal election results would have dramatically altered seat distributions. In Alberta, the federal Liberals, who received 28% of the vote, would have claimed 10 seats instead of two. Similarly, Nova Scotia would have seen more balanced representation: four Conservative MPs, six Liberals, and one NDP MP.
According to Brenden Sommerhalder, MQO’s president, the current system distorts regional outcomes, overrepresenting dominant parties. “You wouldn’t have giant, monolithic representation in any one area. You would have a little bit more speckle,” he said.
The Impact on National Unity and Western Alienation
Experts argue that the current system aggravates regional tensions. University of Alberta law professor Roderick Wood believes this distortion fuels alienation in provinces like Alberta and Saskatchewan. “It accentuates these regional difficulties,” he said, referencing the complete Conservative sweep in Saskatchewan despite the presence of non-Conservative voters.
Wood suggests that proportional representation could mitigate separatist sentiment by more accurately reflecting the diversity of voter intent across provinces. “When the government in power forms, you don’t have representatives from that province in the government,” he added, pointing to the Liberals’ sparse Western Canadian presence.
Why the First-Past-the-Post System Fails Voters
Canada’s current electoral model awards seats to the candidate with the most votes in each riding, regardless of overall vote share. This often results in dramatic overrepresentation of certain parties and near-erasure of others.
In Ontario, the proportional model would have given the People’s Party its first seat and allowed the Green Party to return to the House. The NDP, who lost party status under the current system, would have secured 22 MPs instead of just seven.
Political Strategy vs. Voter Will
The distortion leads to strategic campaigning and voter behavior, especially among progressive voters. Strategic voting often benefits the Liberals, prompting frustration from NDP supporters. In ridings like New Westminster-Burnaby-Maillardville, the effect is palpable: the NDP candidate called on Liberals to back him, only to finish second in a tight race.
“The system allows a party to win power with a small fraction of the vote — if they target the right ridings,” Sommerhalder explained, emphasizing the disconnect between voter expectations and actual outcomes.
A Missed Opportunity for Reform?
In 2015, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised that the federal election would be the last under first-past-the-post. That pledge was abandoned in 2016 amid claims of insufficient public consensus — a decision critics say favored Liberal interests.
Wood, who contributed to the 2004 Law Commission report on electoral reform, criticized the government’s handling of the issue. He noted that the ranked-ballot system preferred by Liberals wouldn’t resolve core issues of representation. “It has the potential for making the problems… worse,” he warned.
Public Sentiment Is Shifting
A recent survey by Research Co. shows growing public support for change. Among 1,201 Canadians polled, 58% favored proportional representation — with millennials showing the strongest support at 67%. Notably, skepticism was higher among older voters, and 25% remained unsure.
What Comes Next? A Call for Independent Action
Frustrated by the lack of political will, advocacy groups like the Longest Ballot Committee have taken protest actions, nominating numerous candidates to draw attention. They argue that reform should be entrusted to a citizens’ assembly — independent of political influence.
While critics claim these efforts risk confusing voters, the demand for electoral fairness is not fading.
Stay tuned to Maple News Wire for the latest insights on Canada’s democratic evolution.
