October 25, Slides 7 Flashcards
How does proportional representation (PR) impact the distribution of seats in Canada?
Under PR, seats would align more closely with the percentage of the popular vote received by each party. For instance, the NDP and Greens would gain significantly more seats compared to First Past the Post, better reflecting their share of voter support.
Why might smaller parties benefit more under PR in Canada?
Smaller parties like the Greens or People’s Party often receive a significant percentage of votes but fail to win single-member districts. PR ensures their voter base translates into representation in the legislature.
How would PR affect regional representation in Canada?
PR could dilute the strong regional dominance of certain parties (e.g., Bloc Québécois in Quebec) by providing more balanced representation across parties based on popular vote, rather than geographic concentration.
What might be a disadvantage of using PR in Canada’s electoral system?
PR can make it harder to achieve a majority government, often resulting in coalition governments, which may slow down decision-making and lead to compromises on policies.
In the 2021 election, how would the Liberal Party’s seat count change under PR?
The Liberal Party would have received fewer seats (around 110 under PR compared to 160 under SMP), reflecting their actual share of the popular vote.
How does PR ensure fairness in representation compared to the current system?
PR provides seats proportionate to the votes cast for each party, meaning every vote carries equal weight, unlike SMP, where some votes are “wasted” in districts with large margins.
What is a common criticism of PR in terms of governance?
Critics argue that PR often leads to fragmented legislatures, making it difficult to form stable, single-party majority governments and potentially leading to weaker policy implementation.
How would PR impact voter turnout in Canada?
PR could potentially increase voter turnout, as individuals may feel their vote is more likely to make a difference in the outcome, even if their preferred party is not a front-runner in their region.
Why is the concept of “wasted votes” significant when discussing PR?
In PR systems, fewer votes are considered “wasted” because all votes contribute to the overall seat allocation, unlike in SMP, where only the winning candidate’s votes directly impact the result.
How might PR change the political strategy of parties in Canada?
Parties might focus more on appealing to a broader national audience rather than concentrating on winning key swing districts or regional strongholds, fostering a more inclusive political discourse.
