For many years, there has been constant discussion and debate about Canada’s electoral system. Electoral reform is becoming more and more necessary as calls for greater representation and fairness in the voting process grow. First-past-the-post (FPTP), the current system, has come under fire for its propensity to produce majority governments despite strong opposition and unequal power distribution among regions and parties. This essay contends that the best way to address these problems and strengthen Canadian democracy is to move toward a proportional representation system. Every vote would be counted, and the power distribution would be more in line with the nation’s diverse political landscape if a proportional representation system were implemented.
Dawood, Y. (2016). The process of electoral reform in Canada: Democratic and constitutional constraints. Supreme Court Law Review. Web.
This paper examines the difficulties and limitations of electoral reform in Canada. Dawood evaluates the various ideas and reforms that have been advanced, including recent initiatives by the federal government to enact electoral reform. Dawood studies the various proposals and legal contexts that have shaped the Canadian electoral system to support his point. The author also examines the constitutional and democratic elements influencing the reform process. Dawood concludes by saying that while electoral reform is essential, it must be approached cautiously and with knowledge of the intricate institutional and legal structures that have shaped the Canadian electoral system. The article could serve as a source for a paper on Canadian electoral reform, especially in light of the democratic and constitutional elements that influence the reform process. Policymakers and advocates could gain insight into the strategies and tactics required to promote change by analyzing the opportunities and challenges related to reform efforts.
Essex, A. & Goodman, N. (2020). Protecting electoral integrity in the digital age: Developing e-voting regulations in Canada. Election Law Journal: Rules, Political, and Policy, 19(2), 162-179. Web.
The authors study the difficulties in maintaining electoral integrity in the modern world and creating e-voting regulations in Canada. They examine the legal systems of Canadian provinces and point out their advantages and disadvantages. Thus, the authors stress the significance of ongoing evaluation and monitoring of e-voting systems in order to maintain their integrity and guarantee public confidence in the electoral process. Overall, the article emphasizes the necessity of strong laws to safeguard electoral integrity in the modern era. It could be used to support an argument for the significance of strict e-voting regulations in preserving the integrity of elections in the digital age.
Heller, A. L. (2021). Public support for electoral reform: The role of electoral system experience. Electoral Studies, 72. Web.
This study explores the connection between the electoral system and public support for electoral reform. The study demonstrates that people who have previously undergone electoral system changes are more likely to support reforms in the future. The author concludes that when considering electoral system changes, policymakers should take into account how different electoral systems have affected public perceptions of electoral reform. The article offers insightful information about the factors affecting electoral reform’s public support. It emphasizes the significance of considering citizens’ experiences with various electoral systems during the reform process. The research could be utilized as a reference for the topic of electoral reform and public support for changes in the electoral system.
Goodman, N. & Stokes, L. C. (2018). Reducing the cost of voting: An evaluation of Internet voting’s effect on turnout. British Journal of Political Science, 50(3), 1-13. Web.
The research studied voting theories that may impact voter turnout. The authors stated that governments introduced cost-saving measures to boost participation as voter turnout declined in advanced democracies. It has proven difficult to ascertain its impact on voter turnout, though. To address this, the authors employed fixed effects estimators to calculate the effects of internet voting using original panel data from local elections in Ontario, Canada. The study discovered that online voting, particularly when a vote by mail is not yet available and registration is not required, can boost turnout. The article can be subject to critical analysis regarding potential risks associated with online voting. A comprehensive evaluation of the electoral system would need to consider these issues and weigh them against the potential benefits of turnout and democratic participation.
Small, T. A. (2020). Promises, promises: Assessing the liberals’ electoral reform agenda. Canadian Studies, 89, 41-64. Web.
Small (2020) examined the Liberals’ pledge to change Canada’s electoral system. The creation of a special parliamentary committee on electoral reform and the subsequent abandonment of the reform agenda are among the actions and statements made by the government regarding electoral reform since the 2015 election that are evaluated by the authors. The authors conclude that the government’s handling of the electoral reform file was flawed and lacked transparency based on an extensive review of government documents, media coverage, and expert commentary. They contend that the proposed changes needed to be supported by a coherent and clear justification from the government and that the decision to abandon the reform agenda was made without holding adequate consultations or taking into account any possible repercussions. The article’s findings could be applied to a broader debate on electoral reform and democratic participation in Canada.