A Canadian poll, released October 8, asks Canadian voters, “If a federal election were held tomorrow, which party would you vote for?” The results: Conservative 39.7%, Liberal 25.7%, New Democratic 15.2%, Green 9.7%, Bloc Quebecois 9.7%. See this story.
Traditionally, Canadian federal election debates are held between the leaders of each party that has at least one seat in Parliament. The Green Party has been fighting for years to get into these debates, but it has only succeeded once, because it has never elected anyone to Parliament (Canada does not use Proportional Representation). But these results should bolster the party’s case for entry into the debates. No federal election has been called yet, but one is likely fairly soon.
The Green Party leader was actually included in the 2008 debate. Remains to be seen whether or not they will be included again in the future though.
Thank you; I’ll amend the post.
Winner take all produces even more skewed results in a multi-party system than in a 2-party one. The Bloc has 47 seats, while Green has 0, because the Bloc’s support is exclusively in one province (Quebec) and even there is predominantly outside the major city (mMntreal) while Green’s support is diffused throughout the country.
About 22 percent minority rule in Canada due to the gerrymander – plurality system (with the 3-5 parties in each province) — carried over from England in the 1760s.
U.S.A. about 30 percent – due to Donkey – Elephant rigging of ballot access laws and the gerrymander – plurality system.
P.R. and A.V.
Actually, ridings in Canada are not really gerrymandered; they tend to follow real geographical and cultural boundaries. It’s simply a fact that the Bloc Quebecois is a regional party that only runs candidates in Quebec, because they believe in Quebec independence and have no interest or support in other provinces. Just as the Alaska Independence Party doesn’t run candidates in New York.
That Alaska party is “Alaskan Independence Party.”
The last debate in 2008 was a total farce because May was included. It turned out to be a free for all 4 vs 1, not very informative. No party without official standing in the House of Commons (ie 12 seats) should be allowed in the debate.
#6-Thanks for the correction. I believe I am correct that they have never fielded candidates in New York, though!
The gerrymander districts in Canada would NOT survive even the one person – one vote census math in the U.S.A. courts — i.e. Equal Protection Clause.
The courts are brain dead regarding the fact that voters vote and NOT census populations — kids, noncitizens, felons, etc.