Here’s the reason people dismissively say “out west” when referring to provinces west of Ontario. You see, “out west” means that you get 11 fewer Members of Parliament votes in the House of Commons, than Quebec does for the same number of people living in your provinces. Do we have Representation by Population? I don’t think so. Fortuantely we have people like Elizabeth May working to fix that problem.
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I’m not a math genius, but isn’t $55 Million less than $650 Million? If so, does the following Conservative logic make sense to you:
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his senior ministers were unapologetic [about cuts to social programs]. They defended their choice in cuts as in the best interests of Canadian taxpayers by, for example, saving $55 million by ending a summer employment program for youth that provided subsidies to employers. They also touted their move to put the unexpectedly large budget surplus towards paying down more of the debt.
“We will pay about $650 million less in interest this year as a result of the reduction in the debt,” Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said, brushing aside NDP complaints he had not consulted Canadians about how the near record surplus should be spent.
Now, correct me if I’m wrong, but couldn’t $55 Million dollars come from the $650 million we don’t have to pay to banks, and thus maintain our social programs designed to help people read, stop smoking, and get jobs? Conservatives are big on people having jobs instead of living on welfare, so I hope they have an employment strategy for youth. Reading and writing is important when it comes to employment.
Literacy advocates said the government is sending a worrisome signal by cutting $17.7 million that had been earmarked for literacy and learning skills at a time when the country is facing a looming labour shortage.
…Studies have said as many as nine million Canadians between the age of 16 and 25 do not have the literacy skills needed for today’s workforce.
Where’s Harper’s Made In Canada plan to teach people how to read?
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cycles2k | 27-Sep-06 at 10:35 pm | Permalink
Our population has grown and redistricting takes a long time. We have gained many seats and will gain more in the coming years. Elections Canada deals with that, not the political parties. Give it time.
cycles2k | 27-Sep-06 at 10:38 pm | Permalink
And…..
I agree with everything else you posted. I just didn’t think the first part was worth getting upset about because it takes time but the system works.
Saskboy | 27-Sep-06 at 11:40 pm | Permalink
I’m not calling for a partisan redistribution of seats with the idea that it will benefit the Conservative Party. Elections Canada just better get their butt in gear to make sure the next election more accurately represents Canadians in the West.
turtles | 28-Sep-06 at 9:28 am | Permalink
Your gripe about the West being short changed 11 seats by population is legit. And left unattended, that disparity will only accelerate with the new gold rush in Alberta.
But a comparatively larger electoral injustice in my view is the 665,000 people who voted Green (4.5% of the popular vote), and not a single voice in Parliament. That’s almost half of what the Bloc garnered, but the BQ has 51 seats and the Greens has none.
In terms of popular vote, the NDP at 17.5% has more than half of the Conservatives at 36.3%, but the system gave the Conservative more than 4 times as much representation in Parliament (124 vs 29).
So, if you’re in a traditional stronghold district and your leaning is different, you may as well stay home.
I think this is in more need of addressing than the regional disparity you eluded to.
Saskboy | 28-Sep-06 at 9:35 am | Permalink
You’re exactly right Turtles, except voting Green in a stronghold of another party [like I'm geographically in] at least gives them funding per vote, and a higher popular vote to make the Rep by Pop system more ridiculous in appearance - giving more weight to the arguments for changing it.
Alberta Report | 28-Sep-06 at 9:42 am | Permalink
Don’t count on Alberta as being a “conservative stronghold” for much longer. Don’t forget that the new population here is from far more liberal areas - the old boys network will begin to break down. If you look at the leadership race for the PC party you can see that there’s a lot of red tories in the running…some who would make pretty solid libs, but a bad career choice now. Give it a few years. And BC, well its hardly a conservative stronghold. BC voters can be very fickle and unpredictable - and the coastal areas are far less conservative.
To assume the growth in the west will boost support for the cons fails to acknowledge the sociological changes that will happen as a result of the huge in-migration from other regions. Just because you come to alberta for work doesn’t mean your values change… at least if you have your wits about you.
Saskboy | 28-Sep-06 at 9:53 am | Permalink
Good points AB Report.