Democracy

Fair is worth fighting for

In the last election 937,613 Canadians voted for Elizabeth May and Green Party of Canada. In the same election, slightly over 1.4 million people voted for the Bloc Quebecois, the result was 0 seats for the Greens and 49 seats for the Bloc. It’s time we fix Canadian democracy, it’s time Canadians votes are represented with seats in the House of Commons. It’s time that every vote count!

In the 2010 elections in Great Britain, Caroline Lucas, Leader of the UK Green Party was the first Green to be elected in a First Past the Post electoral system. Lucas’ campaign slogan, Fair is worth fighting for illustrates the struggle ahead in Canada as well.

Recently, Canadian politics has been rife with partisan battles and decisions are made based on ideology rather than on the wishes of the citizens of Canada. More and more Members of Parliament are representing Ottawa’s wishes and desire to the people not the wishes and desires of the people in Ottawa.

In the last election, Elizabeth May and the Green Party of Canada increased its vote by an impressive 273,545 votes. Sadly, this is not reflected in the House of Commons and old-style partisan politics continue in Canada.

It’s clear, the Green Party is the party of the future.

The Green Party position:
When our government is at its best, it represents all of us and brings us together to accomplish things we cannot accomplish alone. Our Parliament should be a model of statesmanship and cooperation, working for the good of all Canadians.

It should deal creatively and constructively with issues and spend taxpayers’ money prudently. MP’s should be elected through a fair voting system and ensures parties get a share of seats in Parliament that is equal to their share of the popular vote.

Canadians should be proud of their government and trust that is is acting in their best interest.

The Green Party of Canada believes that Canadian democracy would benefit by reducing the financial barriers to running for political office, lowering the voter age to encourage more youth participation and changing to a voting system that more fairly translates peoples’ votes into representation in Parliament.

We also believe that democracy, by definition, must be decided by citizens not politicians. We have ideas to improve the system, and we would like to hear yours.

We support establishing a citizens assembly similar to BC, to study electoral systems around the world, and a ballot question asking Canadians if they wish to change the system and adhere to fixed election dates.

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