Blog by Emerson Howitt
Ontario’s election is in full swing, and a federal one isn’t far off. That means we’re about to see the usual spectacle: progressive parties squabbling over minor differences instead of highlighting their shared priorities.
A recent example? The Ontario Liberals and NDP fought over who first committed to doubling ODSP payments rather than emphasizing that they both support the policy. Instead of reassuring voters that social assistance would improve under either party, they undermined each other. Worse, neither party would commit to cooperating in a minority government, despite the necessity of collaboration in Canada’s fragmented political landscape.
The Root Cause: A Flawed Electoral System
This isn’t just political immaturity—it’s a direct result of Canada’s winner-take-all system. Here, parties don’t just compete for votes; they fight for survival. Even when they share policy goals, they avoid acknowledging common ground for fear of splitting their voter base and losing key ridings.
This zero-sum competition forces parties into negative campaigning. Rather than inspiring voters with constructive ideas, they attack potential allies, fostering division and cynicism. The result? Coalition-building—common in most modern democracies—is treated as a liability rather than a strength.
A Better Model: How Proportional Representation Encourages Cooperation
This political dysfunction isn’t inevitable. New Zealand and Ireland provide clear examples of how proportional representation (PR) fosters political cooperation. In New Zealand, opposition parties have started releasing joint policy statements and hold strategy sessions before elections, preparing to work together if they form a government.
Similarly, in Ireland, long-standing political rivals Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael overcame a century of animosity to form a historic grand coalition, demonstrating how PR encourages parties to find common ground. Instead of competing for dominance, they showcase their ability to collaborate, ensuring stable and representative governance through coalition-building as a norm rather than an exception.
What If Canada Embraced Cooperation Instead of Infighting?
Imagine if this were the norm in Canada. For instance, if the Ontario Liberals and NDP had committed to a formal pre-election agreement, they could have jointly presented their ODSP plan, demonstrating a clear and united path for voters. Of course, different parties exist for different reasons, and transparency about their disagreements is important—it gives voters real choice on the ballot. But when priorities align, cooperation should take precedence over petty disputes. Instead of pointless bickering, parties could present a united front on key policies, building trust with voters. Campaigns could focus on policy substance rather than personal attacks. Instead of debating who first introduced a progressive policy, parties could focus on how to best implement it.
This shift would also create a healthier political culture. Voters would be engaged by ideas, not negativity. Elections would become about solutions, not smear campaigns.
The Solution: Demand Proportional Representation
Canada’s current system rewards division and discourages cooperation. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Many countries have modernized their democracies—so why is Canada still stuck with a system that encourages dysfunction?
It’s time to change the rules of the game. One concrete step Ontarians can take right now is to sign the petition for proportional representation—we’re close to reaching 10,000!
By adopting proportional representation, Canada can:
✅ Encourage parties to work together instead of tearing each other down.
✅ Give voters a more accurate reflection of their political preferences.
✅ Reduce the cycle of negativity that alienates and discourages civic engagement.
This isn’t just about politics—it’s about building a healthier democracy, one where voter engagement increases, diverse perspectives are represented in government, and policies reflect the true will of the electorate rather than the interests of a select few.
The question is: Are we ready to demand it?
Originally from New Zealand, Emerson never thought much about electoral systems. It wasn’t until he moved to Toronto that he noticed the stark differences in Canadian politics compared to his home country. He has a background in journalism and communications with a strong interest in urban issues such as transit, housing, and more pedestrian and cycle-friendly cities. Emerson believes the best way to achieve proportional representation is getting more Canadians to connect the dots between first past the post and the problems impacting our country today.