Month: February 2017

Both the Honourable Maryam Monsef and the Honourable Karina…



Both the Honourable Maryam Monsef and the Honourable Karina Gould ~ the past and present Ministers of Democratic Institutions ~ have claimed the reason their party has chosen to pull the plug on their Electoral Reform process, is that there is no consensus on how to reform the system.  

[This contention has not been born out by the facts.]

The first question is: why do Canadians need to arrive at consensus? We elected a majority government to make every vote count.

Canadians might not know the right words, but a majority of Canadians are most certainly unhappy with First Past The Post.

Democracy isn’t supposed to be about winning or losing, it is supposed to give citizens a say in our own governance. 

In a representative democracy, that means electing representatives. 

But for decades (at least) Canadians have understood we can’t afford to vote for the representative who will best represent us in the system we have. Instead, we have to figure out how everybody else is going to vote so as not to allow someone awful (like, say, Mr. Trump) from winning absolute power.

This isn’t very democratic, and it certainly isn’t fair.  To fix that, we need Proportional Representation.

This is our spiffy poster for the Waterloo Region National Day…



This is our spiffy poster for the Waterloo Region National Day of Action for ELECTORAL REFORM event.

[reblogged from Fair Vote Waterloo
http://www.fairvotewrc.ca/february-11th-day-of-action-for-electoral-reform/ ]

*NOTE: For those of you in other parts of Canada, find your local February 11 Day of Action Event

[Facebook]
https://www.facebook.com/events/885031191552272/permalink/1206930779362310/

[GoogleDoc]
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1c9AR6iLPH_zqH8N81iBhaqpeZJ5fkNlH-GbWIqpXVF8/

If you can print a few copies to put up in your neighborhood that would be enormously helpful.

You can Download the full size colour PDF here

or Download the full size Black and White PDF here

or Download the full size Duotone PDF here

or choose the jpg image size you want from Flickr

This poster is released with a Creative Commons 0 Public Domain Dedication which allows anyone to legally print and use it for any purpose.

If you’re in or near Waterloo Region, Ontario, please print and distribute as many posters as possible on public property where allowed Be sure to get permission before posting on private property, in retail stores, on community bulletin boards etc.

Help Make This Event A Success!

COME

Plan to attend if you can, and bring as many friends, family members, neighbors, co-workers, your kid’s teachers … anyone you know!  This isn’t about politicians , it is really about us… we deserve to have our votes count.  It’s only fair!

SHARE

Share the event on your social media.

FACEBOOK

Sign up on the Facebook Event Page
https://www.facebook.com/events/1371976016188409/

Share the event (click on the “share” button at the top of the right sidebar and choose where to share)

TWITTER

Retweet @FairVoteWaterloo’s event announcement

and other tweets about the event between now and Saturday.

For making your own tweets, the event hashtags include:
#PerformOnReform
 #ChaqueVoteCompte
 #SeeYouSaturday
 #ERRE
 #CDNpoli

Bring Your Own Sign

Give your inner child free reign to create your very own sign!

If you’ve got kids, get them involved ~ make it a family art project.  Use Bristol Board or just ordinary cardboard.

Sign Tips

Keep it Simple : One Idea per sign (although you can have another on the back of a double sided sign)

Black and white, primary colours

Big easy to read letters

Not everyone feels they are artistic, so if you’re feeling inspired, if you make extras, no doubt there will be folks happy to carry them.

If you are looking for inspiration, you might get some ideas from the graphics in my PR For Canada or ERRE Flickr Albums.

Sign the Petition

Whether or not you can make it out on Saturday, you can sign the record breaking (85552 signatures as of writing) House of Commons e-616 ePetition here. You don’t need to set up an account to sign, but you will need to confirm in email before it counts.  As I understand it this one was started by a Waterloo gent.

There is still time for the Canadian Government to adopt electoral reform in time for 2019.
That’s would still be the BEST possible outcome for Canadians.
And it just *might* happen if we make enough noise now.
(If not, we can get to work on making sure the next government does.)

Regards,
Laurel

Day of Action For Electoral Reform — 11 February 2017 at 1:00pm

This is our spiffy poster for Saturday’s National Day of Action for ELECTORAL REFORM event.

If you can print a few copies to put up in your neighborhood that would be enormously helpful.

You can Download the full size colour PDF here (4 MBytes)

or Download the full size Black and White PDF here (3 MBytes)

or Download the full size Duotone PDF here (1 MByte)

or choose the jpg image size you want from Flickr

This poster is released with a CC0Creative Commons 0 Public Domain Dedication which allows anyone to legally print and use it for any purpose.

If you’re in or near Waterloo Region, Ontario, please print and distribute as many posters as possible on public property where allowed Be sure to get permission before posting on private property, in retail stores, on community bulletin boards etc.

Help Make This Event A Success!

COME

Plan to attend if you can, and bring as many friends, family members, neighbors, co-workers, your kid’s teachers … anyone you know!  This isn’t about politicians , it is really about us… we deserve to have our votes count.  It’s only fair!

SHARE
Share the event on your social media.

FACEBOOK

Sign up on the Facebook Event Page
https://www.facebook.com/events/1371976016188409/

Share the event (click on the “share” button at the top of the right sidebar and choose where to share)

TWITTER

Retweet @FairVoteWaterloo’s event announcement

and other tweets about the event between now and Saturday.

For making your own tweets, the event hashtags include:
#PerformOnReform
#ChaqueVoteCompte
#SeeYouSaturday
#ERRE
#CDNpoli

Bring Your Own Sign

Give your inner child free reign to create your very own sign!

If you’ve got kids, get them involved ~ make it a family art project.  Use Bristol Board or just ordinary cardboard.

Sign Tips

Keep it Simple : One Idea per sign (although you can have another on the back of a double sided sign)

Black and white, primary colours

Big easy to read letters

Not everyone feels they are artistic, so if you’re feeling inspired, if you make extras, no doubt there will be folks happy to carry them.

If you are looking for inspiration, you might get some ideas from the graphics in my PR For Canada or ERRE Flickr Albums.

Sign the Petition

Whether or not you can make it out on Saturday, you can sign the record breaking (85552 signatures as of writing) House of Commons e-616 ePetition here.  You don’t need to set up an account to sign, but you will need to confirm in email before it counts.  As I understand it this one was started by a Waterloo gent.

There is still time for the Canadian Government to adopt electoral reform in time for 2019.
That’s would still be the BEST possible outcome for Canadians.
And it just *might* happen if we make enough noise now.
(If not, we can get to work on making sure the next government does.)

Regards,
Laurel

Electoral Reform in the News: CBCFollow the progression of…



Electoral Reform in the News: CBC

Follow the progression of Justin Trudeau’s promise to “Make every vote count” to BALONEY 

June 16, 2015

Justin Trudeau vows to end 1st-past-the-post voting in platform speech
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/justin-trudeau-vows-to-end-1st-past-the-post-voting-in-platform-speech-1.3114902

Oct. 20, 2015
Justin Trudeau’s Liberals to form majority government
http://www.cbc.ca/news2/interactives/results-2015/

Oct 21, 2015
Trudeau unlikely to change voting system, say political scientists
Experts say campaign trail promise for proportional representation at odds with reality of majority
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/trudeau-proportional-representation-voting-system-1.3280995

Oct 28, 2015
Liberal changes to electoral system ‘set up to fail,’ says defeated NDP MP Craig Scott:
'I honestly do not believe that there is a commitment to proportional representation,’ outgoing MP says
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/craig-scott-electoral-reform-1.3293329

Nov 01, 2015
Justin Trudeau’s electoral reform plan needs to 'get going’
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/justin-trudeau-electoral-reform-first-past-the-post-1.3292694

Nov 26, 2015
Change to preferential ballot would benefit Liberals
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/grenier-preferential-ballot-1.3332566

Dec 09, 2015
Rona Ambrose demands Liberals hold referendum on electoral reform
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/electoral-reform-liberal-referendum-1.3357673

Feb 5, 2016
NDP wants to use proportional representation to decide fate of first-past-the-post
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/ndp-liberals-electoral-reform-1.3434297

May 5, 2016
Trudeau apologizes in House over misleading remarks on electoral reform delay
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-apologizes-electoral-reform-1.3568632

May 10, 2016
We can do better’: Liberals kick off push to change Canada’s voting system
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/liberals-electoral-reform-1.3576472

May 11, 2016
Electoral reform: a primer on the main alternatives to how we vote
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/electoral-reform-types-1.3577721

May 12, 2016
Liberal pursuit of electoral reform off to a difficult start
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/wherry-liberals-electoral-reform-1.3579651

May 15, 2016
Partisan interests difficult to avoid in electoral reform debate
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/grenier-electoral-reform-politics-1.3577086

May 31, 2016
The electoral reform fight has only just begun: Aaron Wherry
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/wherry-electoral-reform-1.3609790

Jun 12, 2016
Electoral reform: a primer on the main alternatives to how we vote
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/electoral-reform-types-1.3577721

Referendum on electoral reform would be fraught with complications
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/wherry-electoral-reform-referendum-1.3630702

Jun 21, 2016
Welcome to the summer of electoral reform: No sunscreen required for dozen lucky MPs
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/wherry-electoral-reform-committee-1.3643701

July 6, 2016
Maryam Monsef tells Commons committee first-past-the-post voting system is 'antiquated’
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/wherry-monsef-committee-1.3666961

July 7, 2016
Chief electoral officer warns of tight timeline to implement electoral reform
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/wherry-mayrand-electoral-reform-1.3668566

July 10, 2016
Maryam Monsef’s earnest guide to electoral reform for cynics
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/maryan-monsef-electoral-reform-guide-1.3670291

July 29, 2016
MPs devoting the summer to electoral reform; a look at what they’ve heard so far
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/electoral-reform-committee-roundup-1.3700856

July 31, 2016
How electoral reform is like the Stanley Cup finals
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/wherry-electoral-reform-stanley-cup-1.3700900

Oct 19, 2016
Trudeau says government’s popularity has dampened public’s desire for electoral reform
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/wherry-trudeau-electoral-reform-1.3811862

Oct 21, 2016
How does Justin Trudeau really feel about electoral reform? Let’s go to the tape
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/wherry-trudeau-electoral-reform-opinion-1.3814319

Nov 16, 2016
New Democrats say they are open to referendum on electoral reform
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/wherry-ndp-electoral-reform-referendum-1.3853832

Dec 01, 2016
Canada’s electoral reform file has reached tire fire status: Robyn Urback
http://www.cbc.ca/news/opinion/electoral-reform-tire-fire-1.3876961

Minister 'disappointed’ as electoral reform committee recommends referendum on proportional representation
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/wherry-electoral-reform-committee-1.3866879

Baloney Meter: Did the Liberals promise electoral reform only with broad support?

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/electoral-reform-liberals-monsef-1.3876002

Dec 2, 2016
Words that I deeply regret’: Maryam Monsef apologizes for accusations against MPs
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/maryam-monsef-apology-electoral-reform-1.3878457

Dec 02, 2016
Time for Liberals to decide if they’re serious about electoral reform: Aaron Wherry
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/wherry-trudeau-electoral-reform-1.3876735

Dec 05, 2016
Liberal government launches online survey meant to spur electoral reform conversation
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/wherry-electoral-reform-survey-1.3881043

Jan 11, 2017
The Pollcast: What the cabinet shuffle means for electoral reform
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/wherry-monsef-shuffle-electoral-reform-1.3930891

Jan 12, 2017
Maryam Monsef escapes the Liberal adventure in electoral reform
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/wherry-monsef-shuffle-electoral-reform-1.3930891

Jan 19, 2017
Neil Young among artists, activists urging Trudeau government to reform electoral system
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/electoral-reform-neil-young-1.3942661

Jan 24, 2017
Liberal survey on voting reform delivers conflicting messages
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/mydemocracy-survey-results-electoral-reform-1.3950671

Feb 01, 2017
Opposition accuses Trudeau of 'betrayal’ as Liberals abandon promise of electoral reform
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-electoral-reform-mandate-1.3961736

OPINION:  Say goodbye to electoral reform — a promise that was born sickly: Robyn Urback
http://www.cbc.ca/news/opinion/goodbye-to-electoral-reform-1.3962324

Feb 02, 2017
Voting reform groups 'disappointed’ by abandoned Liberal promise
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/fair-vote-canada-electoral-1.3963361

Feb 03, 2017
Liberal fears of proportional representation and a referendum killed Trudeau’s reform promise
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-reform-promise-referendum-1.3963533

Feb 05, 2017
Trudeau’s promise of electoral reform: From 'we can do better’ to accusations of betrayal
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/wherry-trudeau-electoral-reform-promise-betrayal-1.3962386

Feb 07, 2017
With electoral reform off the table, minister defends first-past-the-post
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/politics/gould-first-past-the-post-1.3970658

Canadians Won’t Forget Trudeau’s Broken Promise on Electoral Reform | The Tyee

Canadians Won’t Forget Trudeau’s Broken Promise on Electoral Reform | The Tyee:

There is still time to get back on track.

If that doesn’t happen we will make sure we don’t forget.  And we’ve got 3 years to make sure our families, friends and social networks understand and remember too.