Skip to main content

“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.” ~~ John G. Diefenbaker

FELDSTED: The problem as we witness every day is that regional, and personal equality, is thrown under the election bus

Sixty-one electoral districts?

City of Vancouver
The most fiercely contested territory in the October Election will be in 61 federal electoral districts. These will be the 18 in Montreal ... 25 in Toronto ... and 128 in Vancouver.

These sixty-one electoral districts make up 18% of the seats in the House of Commons, but are vital to any political party seeking a majority government.

Quebec has 8 cities outside Montreal which add another 30 electoral districts.
... 48 of 78 Quebec electoral district, or 61.5%, are urban.

Ontario has 16 cities outside Toronto which add another 67 electoral districts.
...92 of 121 Ontario electoral districts, or 55.4%, are urban.

British Columbia has 4 cities outside Vancouver which add another 10 electoral districts.
... 28 of 42 British Columbia electoral districts, or 66.7%, are urban

Toronto with CN Tower in foreground
The urban ridings in Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia account for just over half (50.1%) of the seats in the Commons.  Which is why every political party will throw major resources, manpower, (cash if you are in government) and promises of more cash into those urban electoral districts to secure seats -- and a majority government.

The problem, as we witness every day, is that regional and personal equality is thrown under the election bus. Political parties will be driven to favour vote rich areas rather than treat all provinces, cities, towns and people equally and fairly.

One solution to the problem is to convert our three major metropolitan areas, Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver into separate provinces with full provincial rights.

It sounds a bit strange, until we consider the effect on the amending formula in our constitution:
Montreal City

  • 7 of 10 provinces becomes 9 of 13 provinces representing 50% of the population, with many more possible combinations than we have at present.

  • the equalization formula would have to be changed, modernized and updated to accommodate 13 provinces; and

  • more per capita federal funding for education, health care and welfare would flow to other provinces and smaller centres.  

There is some food for thought.  


John Feldsted
Political Consultant & Strategist
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Abbotsford-Mission MLA Reann Gasper to step down for Conservative Leader Hon. Kerry-Lynne Findlay to run in a by-election

Deputy Whip and MLA Reann Gasper has informed the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia of her decision to step down as MLA for Abbotsford-Mission, creating an opportunity for Conservative Party of British Columbia Leader Hon. Kerry-Lynne Findlay to seek the seat in a forthcoming by-election. Gasper said the decision was made carefully and deliberately, with the future of British Columbia firmly in mind. Abbotsford-Mission MLA Reann Gasper “This is a decision I have made after a great deal of careful consideration, and I believe it is the right decision for me, for our Party, and for the work ahead,” said MLA Gasper. “It has been a privilege to represent the people of Abbotsford-Mission, and I am deeply grateful to everyone who placed their trust in me. I am also grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside my colleagues in the Conservative Caucus and to contribute to our leadership team.” “I have confidence in Kerry-Lynne, in her leadership, and in her ability to ...
Post a Comment
Read more

NDP Sits on $61 Million With No Start Date for Burnaby Hospital

Phase 2 of Burnaby Hospital redevelopment  was green lit to go ahead in September 2023 The NDP spent $45 million on the Burnaby Hospital redevelopment, cancelled the second phase, and now has another $61 million listed for the project in the province’s Public Accounts, with no start date for construction. If the NDP cancelled the project, what is happening to the $61 million set aside for it? The Phase 2 project was expected to cost between $1.7 billion and $1.8 billion and was intended to expand the hospital’s capacity. With Burnaby’s population growing and residents struggling to access healthcare, the government should be investing in healthcare capacity, not leaving millions of dollars tied up in limbo. “The NDP spent $45 million on this project before cancelling it, and now $61 million remains listed for it in the Public Accounts,” said MLA Misty Van Popta, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure. “If the government isn’t going to build the hospital expansion, it should explain whe...
Post a Comment
Read more

BC Conservatives Point to Warning Signs in BC’s Economy

While Canada posted modest job gains in July, warning lights are still flashing in British Columbia. Youth unemployment remains stubbornly high, leaving too many first-time jobseekers shut out of the workforce. BC also lost 3,400 public administration jobs in July, likely as temporary Census positions ended. “BC's jobs divide remains stark. Unemployment is far higher in business-driven communities like Kelowna (9.3%) and Abbotsford-Mission (8.3%) than in Victoria (5.0%). Government should be focused on creating the conditions for private-sector investment and job growth,” said Gavin Dew, MLA for Kelowna-Mission and Shadow Minister for Economic Development. “We need an economy where young people can find work, businesses can hire, and every region has the opportunity to prosper.” This comes as BC faces five straight quarters where more businesses are closing than opening, an NDP cabinet rift over job-creating projects like Tilbury LNG, and fresh signs that even the province's to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Labels

Show more