Why Canada Needs Electoral Reform Now More Than Ever

Let’s be honest—Canada’s current electoral system, the first-past-the-post (FPTP), is just not cutting it anymore. Sure, it’s simple: whoever gets the most votes in a riding wins a seat in Parliament. But here’s the catch—this system often leaves us with a government that doesn’t truly reflect what the majority of Canadians want. And that’s a problem.

Think about it: under FPTP, a party can snag a majority of seats without actually winning a majority of the popular vote. That’s how we end up with “false majorities,” where a single party can push through policies even though most Canadians didn’t vote for them. Meanwhile, smaller parties—those that could bring fresh ideas to the table—struggle to get a foot in the door because their support is spread out rather than concentrated in one place. This kind of system is the the very reason gerrymandering exists.

So, what can we do about it? I believe the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system is the answer we need.

Why STV Could Be the Game-Changer

The beauty of STV lies in its simplicity and fairness. Instead of just picking one candidate, voters rank the candidates in order of preference. If your top choice doesn’t have enough support to win, your vote isn’t wasted—it simply transfers to your next choice. This process continues until all seats are filled.

Why is this important? Because STV ensures that more votes actually count. It reflects a broader range of voter preferences, making it harder for any single party to dominate unless they genuinely have widespread support. Wouldn’t it be nice to see your second pick get in instead of the guy you want to see in power the least?

The Urgency of Reform

Now, let’s talk about why this is pressing. Canadians are disillusioned. Voter turnout is stagnating, and trust in our political system is at an all time low. People feel like their votes don’t matter, and in many cases, they’re right. When you live in a riding, such as ours, that’s always a safe seat for one party or another, it’s easy to feel like showing up at the polls is just a formality, not a meaningful choice. I know I feel like my vote has no purpose…

But it doesn’t have to be this way. Reforming our electoral system to something like STV could reinvigorate our democracy. It could make every vote count, give smaller parties a real chance, and ensure that our Parliament better reflects the diversity of opinion in this country.

What’s Next?

The road to reform won’t be easy, but with so many Canadians feeling let down by the status quo, the time to act is now.

If we want a government that truly represents us, we need to push for change. It’s not just about tweaking the system—it’s about reinvigorating our democracy and making sure that every Canadian’s voice is heard. The STV system isn’t just a better way to vote; it’s a step toward a more fair, more inclusive Canada. And that’s something worth fighting for.

So what do you say? Let’s shake things up?