April 11, 2019
EDMONTON – The Green Party candidate in the riding of Edmonton-City Centre is advocating for a change from the province’s first-past-the-post voting system to one that is fair and proportional.
Chris Alders says the current system is antiquated and does not accurately reflect voter intent. “Our present voting method is a 19th century construct and its designers did not envision our modern, multi-party system. It also distorts majorities and distorts minorities because the seat apportionment in the legislature does not match the ballots cast by the public.”
In contrast, proportional voting systems reflect the idea that people should be represented in proportion to how they voted. “Instead of our deeply-flawed current system that gives parties upwards of 70-85% of the seats after attaining 38% of the vote, we want a system that mirrors the actual vote. For instance, a party that receives 30% support should receive no more than 30% of seats in the legislature,” says Alders.
Canada is one of the few countries in the world that has retained a first-past-the-post voting system. Voters elsewhere demand a more democratic model. No country in Europe has adopted first-past-the-post since the 1920’s.
In Alberta, the present governing party took down any mention of voting system reform from their party’s website in the Spring of 2015, the moment they began to ascend public opinion polls. Says Alders, “The complete absence of the NDP government on voting system reform speaks volumes of their endorsement of the present iniquitous system. It will take Green Party MLAs to push hard for voting system reform in Alberta. We want a modern democracy that reflects the diversity of thought in our province. Anything less diminishes democratic representation.”
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For more information, please contact:
Chris Alders
Green Party of Alberta Candidate for Edmonton – City Centre
Email: chris@chrisalders.ca
Phone: 780-242-1621