By Jill Sperling

Expert encourages fact-based arguments in proportional representation debate

Jul 4, 2018 | 5:18 PM

KAMLOOPS — As B.C. residents prepare to decide whether to shift from a first-past-the post voting system to a form of proportional representation, Fair Vote Kamloops has brought an expert in to discuss what electoral reform means for the province. 

Dennis Pilon is a professor of political science at York University in Toronto. 

He says the current voting system in British Columbia rarely results in a direct relationship between votes and seats, something that would be expected to change under proportional representation. 

While there are many opinions for and against a change in the voting system, Pilon hopes people will base their arguments on facts. 

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“If people are going to make claims about what different voting systems do, or the kinds of results we might expect, or what is happening in other countries that should be backed up by some evidence,” Pilon said. 

“People shouldn’t just sort of fling accusations around, and then not have them followed up. So, my talk tonight is going to put both of the voting systems to the test.” 

In his research Pilon has found that proportional representation does work in countries comparable to Canada. 

He adds B.C. residents should take the opportunity to change their voting system very seriously. 

“We should really be spending our time talking about, ‘alright British Columbians, what do you think? Is the current system giving you what you want, is it an effective enough trade-off, or could you try something different? Is it time to maybe see if lessons from afar could teach us something here?’ Especially given that the government has said that even if B.C. decides to change the voting system, in two electoral cycles if they don’t like it there will be another referendum. People of course could decide to change it back at that point.”

Pilon’s presentation will take place in the Alumni Theatre in the Clock Tower building at Thompson Rivers University at 7 tonight. All are welcome to attend.