Electoral reform 'a great legacy for the future'

A town hall meeting to discuss electoral reform for the Canadian Parliament enjoyed a supportive audience in Charlottetown Tuesday night.

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Liberal MPs Wayne Easter and Sean Casey hosted the town hall at Holland College. A panel of three, including Mark Holland, the parliamentary secretary for democratic institutions, spoke about the different systems that could be put in place.

This event is a result of the current Liberal government's election promise to change the electoral system.

No more first past the post

The current system is first past the post, in which the candidate with the most votes in each riding wins the seat, but Wayne Easter said that is not even on the table this time around.

Some people, in terms of voting intentions, are not really recognized. MP Wayne Easter

"We campaigned, the leadership certainly did, that this would be the last election with first past the post," said Easter.

"That opens up a whole lot of other avenues in terms of what approach and what method you use in terms of electing representatives for parliaments in the future."

Easter said he was reasonably satisfied with first past the post, but understands why others are not supportive.

"Some people, in terms of voting intentions, are not really recognized to the extent they should be," he said.

"That's a legitimate criticism."

'Antithesis of healthy democracy'

Brody Stuart-Verner was one of about 60 attendees at the town hall. He said he's going to talk to his friends and family to make sure they know first past the post has got to go.

"First past the post, in my opinion, is the antithesis of healthy democracy," said Stuart-Verner.

"This past election in the fall I voted for the Green candidate in my riding and I was told by many people that I was throwing away my ballot."

Stuart-Verner said he understands people may have critiques of the Green Party, but doesn't like being told his vote doesn't count because people think the party won't win.

'I'm passing the torch'

J'nanBrown ran is a former NDP candidate and was on the first commission held on proportional representation more than a decade ago.

"We've had two main parties, the Liberals and Conservatives, and usually the representation is passed back and forth. I think our interests are broader and are better represented under a proportional system," Brown said.

"I see young faces and I'm passing the torch. Young people should embrace this situation and push for it."

Building a stronger democracy

Leo Cheverie said he's had a long-standing interest in proportional representation. He's been involved in the provincialplebisciteand is currently involved in groups that promote and get the word out aboutproportional representation.

The principles of fairness and equality are really important to us. Leo Cheverie

He said it's a great step to talk about electoral reform.

"I think the principles of fairness and equality are really important to us as a nation," said Cheverie.

"If we find ways, next year and years later, to have a stronger democracy, that's a really great legacy for the future."

There were some concerns mentioned from audience members, such as if this process will be done properly if it is done too quickly, and criticism about this change not being publicized enough.

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