October 23, Slides 10-11 Flashcards
What was the 2016 Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reform tasked with?
The committee was tasked with exploring alternatives to the current electoral system in Canada and submitted its recommendations, including the possibility of a referendum, in December 2016
What was the outcome of the 2016 report on electoral reform?
The report recommended a referendum on electoral reform, but no concrete changes were implemented, and by 2017, the initiative was largely abandoned.
What electoral system did the Conservatives advocate for in the 2015 federal election?
The Conservatives supported keeping the Single-Member Plurality (SMP) system, with no changes.
Which electoral system did the New Democratic Party (NDP) propose in 2015?
The NDP proposed a Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) system, which combines aspects of SMP and Proportional Representation.
What was the Green Party’s stance on electoral reform in 2015?
The Green Party advocated for Proportional Representation to ensure fairer representation of votes in Parliament.
How did the Liberal Party approach electoral reform in 2015?
The Liberals acknowledged the need for reform but proposed studying the issue further to determine the best system.
Why did electoral reform in Canada stall after 2016?
Despite the committee’s recommendations and public interest, political will to pursue reform waned, leading to the status quo being maintained.
What is the Single-Member Plurality (SMP) electoral system?
SMP, or “first past the post,” is an electoral system where the candidate with the most votes in a geographic district wins, even if they do not achieve a majority.
In which countries is SMP commonly used for lower houses?
SMP is commonly used in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
How are people represented in the Single-Member Plurality system?
People are represented geographically, with each district electing one representative.
Does the winner in an SMP system need a majority of votes?
No, the winner only needs more votes than any other candidate, not necessarily a majority.
What is a major criticism of the SMP system?
SMP often results in “wasted votes,” as votes for losing candidates or excess votes for the winning candidate do not contribute to the overall representation.
What is a key advantage of the SMP system?
It is simple to understand and often leads to stable majority governments.
How does SMP affect smaller parties?
SMP disadvantages smaller parties that have support spread across many districts, as they are less likely to win in any single district.
What role does geography play in SMP elections?
Geography plays a crucial role, as electoral districts determine the boundaries within which candidates compete.
