Two Nova Scotia parties have made platform commitments to implement proportional representation: The Nova Scotia Liberal Party and the Nova Scotia Green Party.
The Nova Scotia Liberal Party should be applauded for a clear and compelling promise to introduce proportional representation. This may be the first time that a Liberal Party who has governed a province many times has made such a bold commitment.
Federally, the last time the Liberals made such a clear platform promise on proportional representation was in 1921.
Considering the deplorable track record of parties of many stripes who have sabotaged their commitments when it no longer suited their self-interest, voters are understandably cynical when a major party makes such a promise.
Nevertheless, the Liberal Party of Nova Scotia’s leadership on this file shows that they understand proportional representation is “real change” and it matters to voters. Their platform sets a precedent that we hope other Liberal leaders across the country will follow.
The Nova Scotia Green Party, like Green parties across the country, have always been strongly in favour of proportional representation, and embrace PR as part of their core values.
By running on platforms promising meaningful electoral reform, the Nova Scotia Liberals and Nova Scotia Greens show that voters are tired of “majority” governments elected with 39% of the vote. Every voter, including political minorities in Nova Scotia, deserve fair representation.
We commend both parties for advocating an evidence-based process to gather public input, and particularly appreciate the Green Party’s commitment to a non-partisan Citizens’ Assembly, such as Fair Vote Canada has advocated for at the federal level.
Nova Scotia NDP and Nova Scotia PC Fail Voters on Electoral Reform
Fair Vote Canada is deeply disappointed that the Nova Scotia NDP and Nova Scotia PC have promised voters nothing on electoral reform.
Proportional representation is not a side issue. It is fundamental to a fairer democracy.
As Nova Scotia’s 2019 Boundary Commission report recommended:
“Recommendation 8: Although it is outside our mandate, we respectfully recommend that future governments consider consulting the public and elections experts about whether a proportional system would achieve more effective representation than our current single-member plurality (first past the post) system.”
Not only would proportional representation strengthen democracy in Nova Scotia, it has been shown to deliver better long-term outcomes on key issues that matter deeply to Nova Scotians, including economy, health and environment.
Around the world, proportional representation happens by multi-party agreement.
The Nova Scotia NDP and PCs have failed to show leadership and failed to signal to voters that they are willing to work with the other parties for a more inclusive electoral system. We urge them to correct this immediately.