WHY VOTING COUNTS ( MORE THAN EVER IN 2015 ) Renewing Democracy Through Cooperation Federal Riding of North Okanagan-Shuswap

Low voter turnout – 80% in 1970s, 60% in the 2000s Voter apathy and cynicism Low engagement among youth, First Nations Increased use of “corridor consultations” (no record) Lengthening time for FOI requests to be filled Greatly expanded use of omnibus bills “Muzzling” of scientists, aggressive audits of ENGOs Bill C-51(“Anti-Terrorism Act”) and Bill C-23 (“Fair Elections Act”) Increased undisclosed pre-election political spending All-powerful Prime Minister’s Office/PM First-past-the-post electoral (voting) system Democracy Deficits

PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE/PM Has more powers and fewer limitations than leaders in the USA, Germany, Britain, Japan, France, Australia, New Zealand – in fact, more than “any democratically elected leader in other advanced industrial countries” [Jeffrey Simpson: “The Friendly Dictatorship” 2001] Able to vote down or ignore almost all activities of the House of Commons, its committees and sub-committees (which comes from other parties) Controls all appointments besides the Commons speaker Can alter/expand its budget by internal decision only Unelected staff can over-ride and dictate to elected Ministers and MPs Most Parliament votes “whipped” – only rare free votes Approves all candidates for the next election

We need to curtail the powers of the Prime Minister’s Office, and the Prime Minister ( whoever that may be)

The Current Voting System One vote can win, all others lose

A proportional voting (electoral) system is one in which the portion of votes received by a party leads to them having the same portion of seats: 30% of votes ≈ 30% of the seats. Proportional Voting

CURRENT GOVERNMENT Elected with 39% of votes cast Elected by 24% of eligible voters

FPTP Proportional voting systems

Strategic Voting

Loss of Diversity FPTPProportional

FPTP can breed cynicism and apathy….

Again…

A Ray of hope…. Conservative MP Michael Chong’s “The Reform Act” passed the Senate vote June 22/15 Removes party leader’s control over nominations Party MPs decide on expulsions, not PM, and elect their own caucus chairpersons MPs can initiate leadership review with 20% in favour, compel leadership contest if majority support it.

If you remember nothing else from this presentation….

Who to vote for : * Any party that promises to limit the powers of the PMO and Prime Minister * Any Party that promises to move to a proportional voting system

Thank you! renewingdemocracythroughcooperation.com