Why does Canada use a voting system that allows the minority of voters to elect a majority government? How does 39% of the vote translate into 100% of the power? How does a voting system that allows a micro-targeted riding-by-riding campaign style lead to negative campaigning, toxic politics and a hyper-partisan, never-ending campaign replacing governance?

Most modern democracies use some form of proportional voting. Canada has a once in a generation chance to improve the quality of our democracy, enhance the power of voters, and ensure that never again will we have a prime minister wielding extraordinary powers, essentially an elected dictatorship, supported by only a minority of voters. It is time for fair voting.

To read the ERRE Committee’s reports visit http://www.parl.gc.ca/Committees/en/ERRE/Work?show=reports. Other resources can be found at http://www.fairvote.ca/.

Elizabeth May is the Leader of the Green Party of Canada, an Officer of the order of Canada and the proud member of parliament for Saanich – Gulf Islands. For more information visit Elizabeth’s website at http://www.elizabethmaymp.ca/

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

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