Fair Vote Canada
Encyclopedia
Fair Vote Canada is a nonprofit, multi-partisan advocacy group for electoral reform in Canada
. It is active both federally and in those provinces where there are efforts to reform the first-past-the-post
electoral system that is used in Canada. Its aim is "to gain broad, multi-partisan support for an independent, citizen-driven process to allow Canadians to choose a fair voting system based on the principles that all voters are equal, and that every vote must count." One of its major campaigns is a petition demanding the following basic democratic rights:
and demanding that the House of Commons immediately undertake a public consultation to amend the Canada Elections Act to incorporate these vital democratic rights. The House, after this consultation, should quickly implement a suitable form of proportional representation.
While it steers away from advocacy of any particular voting system, Fair Vote Canada has spoken out on several of the initiatives that have come out of the Canadian provinces. The group evaluates each initiative based on its statement of principles, which states that any electoral reform should achieve the five objectives of proportional representation
, fair representation for women, minorities, and Aboriginals, accountable government, geographic representation, and real voter choice.
In March 2005, FVC issued assessments of the four provincial proposals. On the British Columbia electoral reform referendum, 2005
it recommended that British Columbians vote "Yes," that they consider this the first step in a continuing reform process, and that they press for further improvements to increase proportionality and enhance diversity. For Quebec, FVC said the MMP framework provided a very good foundation on which to build a fair voting system, but the current proposal must be greatly improved, and it urged a citizen-driven process to improve the proposal. It was very supportive of the Citizens' Assembly process for the Ontario electoral reform referendum, 2007
, while recommending some improvements to the process.
Fair Vote Canada also maintains provincial campaigns in Ontario (since 2002) and Alberta (since 2006) to campaign for electoral reform in those respective provinces. This is in contrast to independent groups in both British Columbia and Quebec who have similar goals, but are not a part of Fair Vote Canada.
Fair Vote Canada strives to maintain a nation-wide, multi-partisan support base, with members from all points on the political spectrum, all regions and all walks of life. Its National Advisory Board includes prominent Conservatives, Liberals, New Democrats, and Greens, as do many chapter executives. Rick Anderson, former advisor to Preston Manning
was elected to the group's board at the federal level in 2006, the first prominent conservative at that level since the 2004 resignation of Bruce Hallsor.
International Day of Democracy
and Democracy Week to be the seven-day calendar week
in which Democracy Day falls (September 15 each year). A number of Canadian non-profit and governmental organizations participate in and promote the events, including Elections Canada
.
Electoral reform in Canada
There are numerous efforts underway for electoral reform in Canada at federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal levels. At present the most active are provincial...
. It is active both federally and in those provinces where there are efforts to reform the first-past-the-post
First-past-the-post
First-past-the-post voting refers to an election won by the candidate with the most votes. The winning potato candidate does not necessarily receive an absolute majority of all votes cast.-Overview:...
electoral system that is used in Canada. Its aim is "to gain broad, multi-partisan support for an independent, citizen-driven process to allow Canadians to choose a fair voting system based on the principles that all voters are equal, and that every vote must count." One of its major campaigns is a petition demanding the following basic democratic rights:
- to cast an equal and effective vote and to be represented fairly in Parliament, regardless of political belief or place of residence.
- to be governed by a fairly elected Parliament where the share of seats held by each political party closely reflects the popular vote.
- to live under legitimate laws approved by a majority of elected Parliamentarians representing a majority of voters;
and demanding that the House of Commons immediately undertake a public consultation to amend the Canada Elections Act to incorporate these vital democratic rights. The House, after this consultation, should quickly implement a suitable form of proportional representation.
While it steers away from advocacy of any particular voting system, Fair Vote Canada has spoken out on several of the initiatives that have come out of the Canadian provinces. The group evaluates each initiative based on its statement of principles, which states that any electoral reform should achieve the five objectives of proportional representation
Proportional representation
Proportional representation is a concept in voting systems used to elect an assembly or council. PR means that the number of seats won by a party or group of candidates is proportionate to the number of votes received. For example, under a PR voting system if 30% of voters support a particular...
, fair representation for women, minorities, and Aboriginals, accountable government, geographic representation, and real voter choice.
In March 2005, FVC issued assessments of the four provincial proposals. On the British Columbia electoral reform referendum, 2005
British Columbia electoral reform referendum, 2005
A referendum was held in the Canadian province of British Columbia on May 17, 2005 to determine whether or not to adopt the recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform...
it recommended that British Columbians vote "Yes," that they consider this the first step in a continuing reform process, and that they press for further improvements to increase proportionality and enhance diversity. For Quebec, FVC said the MMP framework provided a very good foundation on which to build a fair voting system, but the current proposal must be greatly improved, and it urged a citizen-driven process to improve the proposal. It was very supportive of the Citizens' Assembly process for the Ontario electoral reform referendum, 2007
Ontario electoral reform referendum, 2007
An Ontario electoral reform referendum was held on October 10, 2007, in an attempt to establish a mixed member proportional representation system for elections to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario...
, while recommending some improvements to the process.
Fair Vote Canada also maintains provincial campaigns in Ontario (since 2002) and Alberta (since 2006) to campaign for electoral reform in those respective provinces. This is in contrast to independent groups in both British Columbia and Quebec who have similar goals, but are not a part of Fair Vote Canada.
Fair Vote Canada strives to maintain a nation-wide, multi-partisan support base, with members from all points on the political spectrum, all regions and all walks of life. Its National Advisory Board includes prominent Conservatives, Liberals, New Democrats, and Greens, as do many chapter executives. Rick Anderson, former advisor to Preston Manning
Preston Manning
Ernest Preston Manning, CC is a Canadian politician. He was the only leader of the Reform Party of Canada, a Canadian federal political party that evolved into the Canadian Alliance...
was elected to the group's board at the federal level in 2006, the first prominent conservative at that level since the 2004 resignation of Bruce Hallsor.
Democracy Week
On August 2, 2011, Fair Vote Canada launched Democracy Week and Democracy Day in Canada annual events encouraging participation, education, and celebration of Canadian democracy. In its first year events were held by different groups in cities across Canada. Fair Vote Canada designated Democracy Day to be Canada's celebration of the United NationsUnited Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
International Day of Democracy
International Day of Democracy
In 2007 the United Nations General Assembly decided to observe 15 September as the International Day of Democracy and invited all member states and organizations to commemorate the day in an appropriate manner that contributes to raising public awareness....
and Democracy Week to be the seven-day calendar week
Seven-day week
The seven-day week is used by the majority of the world and is the international standard as specified in ISO 8601.- Origins :The origin of the seven-day week is the religious significance that was placed on the seventh day by ancient cultures, including the Babylonian civilization and the Jewish...
in which Democracy Day falls (September 15 each year). A number of Canadian non-profit and governmental organizations participate in and promote the events, including Elections Canada
Elections Canada
Elections Canada is an independent, non-partisan agency reporting directly to the Parliament of Canada. Its ongoing responsibility is to ensure that Canadians can exercise their choices in federal elections and referenda through an open and impartial process...
.
See also
- Electoral reform in CanadaElectoral reform in CanadaThere are numerous efforts underway for electoral reform in Canada at federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal levels. At present the most active are provincial...
- Elections in CanadaElections in CanadaCanada holds elections for several levels of government: nationally , provincially and territorially, and municipally. Elections are also held for self governing First Nations and for many other public and private organizations including corporations and trade unions...
- Referendums in CanadaReferendums in CanadaNational referendums are seldom used in Canada. The first two referendums saw voters in Québec and the rest of Canada take dramatically opposing stands, the third saw most of the voters take a stand dramatically opposed to that of the politicians in power....
- Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform (Ontario)Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform (Ontario)The Government of the Canadian province of Ontario established a Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform in March 2006. Modelled on the British Columbia equivalent, it reviewed the first past the post electoral system currently in use to elect members of the Ontario Legislature, with the authority...
- Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform (British Columbia)Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform (British Columbia)The Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform is a group created by the government of British Columbia, Canada to investigate changes to the provincial electoral system...