Electoral Reform in Canada
Standing
Undergraduate
Type of Proposal
Oral Research Presentation
Challenges Theme
Open Challenge
Faculty Sponsor
N/A
Proposal
Canada’s relationship with electoral reform is a compelling study, as the inherited British electoral system, single member plurality (SMP), is not well suited for Canada’s electoral climate. In order to properly represent Canada’s political climate and diversity, mixed member proportional representation (MMP) would pose a better option for an electoral system, allowing Canada to keep regional representation while still incorporating proportional representation. Looking at New Zealand’s adaptation of mixed member proportional over 25 years is a good start for researching how this could be adapted in Canada, as well as researching the benefits of multi-party systems and occasional coalition governments since these are often considered the ‘side effects’ of proportional representation. Finally, researching Britain's success of having more members of Parliament to reduce the power of the Prime Minister and the Party Whip should be crucial when deciding how Canada should incorporate MMP’s ‘list MPs’ feature. This research leads me to the conclusion that it would be beneficial for Canada to change its electoral system from SMP to MMP, by creating more seats in parliament to accommodate list MPs instead of merging electoral districts.
Grand Challenges
Viable, Healthy and Safe Communities
Electoral Reform in Canada
Canada’s relationship with electoral reform is a compelling study, as the inherited British electoral system, single member plurality (SMP), is not well suited for Canada’s electoral climate. In order to properly represent Canada’s political climate and diversity, mixed member proportional representation (MMP) would pose a better option for an electoral system, allowing Canada to keep regional representation while still incorporating proportional representation. Looking at New Zealand’s adaptation of mixed member proportional over 25 years is a good start for researching how this could be adapted in Canada, as well as researching the benefits of multi-party systems and occasional coalition governments since these are often considered the ‘side effects’ of proportional representation. Finally, researching Britain's success of having more members of Parliament to reduce the power of the Prime Minister and the Party Whip should be crucial when deciding how Canada should incorporate MMP’s ‘list MPs’ feature. This research leads me to the conclusion that it would be beneficial for Canada to change its electoral system from SMP to MMP, by creating more seats in parliament to accommodate list MPs instead of merging electoral districts.