Upcoming Fair Vote Canada webinars

PR 101: proportional representation vs first past the post
Want to learn the basics of the campaign for proportional representation? What’s wrong with winner-take-all systems? What is proportional representation? How would it strengthen our democracy?
Join Fair Vote Canada for PR 101! We’ll look at proportional representation vs first past the post. A half hour presentation is followed by questions and answers in a small group setting.
Offered on the 15th of every month (except July and August). 1 PM Eastern if the date is on a weekend, 8 PM Eastern if the date is during the week. To register for any of the upcoming sessions, click the date below.
Winter 2023 – Spring 2024
Recordings of past Fair Vote Canada webinars
(Click the pictures below to watch the webinars. See more on our YouTube channel)
How did other democracies change their electoral systems?
Electoral reform expert Dennis Pilon looks at the real world politics behind how countries adopted proportional representation, the role of multi-party agreements, and what reformers can learn from history.
Associate Professor Dennis Pilon is author of two books and many chapters and journal articles on the history and politics of electoral reform in Canada and around the world.
Denmark’s democracy: what can we learn?
Making progress on electoral reform
Myths, damn myths and voting system change
Is electoral reform really about “trade-offs” as so many academics have suggested? What about simplicity, accountability, stability and local representation?
Dennis Pilon explores how political scientists have perpetuated myths about electoral reform, and how to reframe the debate based on an honest look at history and the struggle for democracy.
Polarization in democracy: What’s happening and what can we do?
Political polarization and extremism in Canadian politics is on the rise. Many are concerned about the tone of our politics and the consequences of politicians from all sides who fan the flames of division. Our expert guests discussed the problems facing democracy and solutions that can bring people together.
Citizens’ Assemblies: Driving reform from the bottom up
Around the world, citizens’ assemblies are driving change on some of the most challenging issues of our time. How can citizens’ assemblies lead the way to a stronger, more inclusive democracy and usher in electoral reform?
Electoral reform referendums: A tool for informed decision-making?
This webinar takes a deep dive into some of the best research of the last 20 years, looking at the formidable forces that drive the vote in referendum campaigns. Referendums are not the politically-neutral, democratic tool that they are often presented as. Guest: Dr. Lawrence Leduc.
Alternative Vote: A solution to the democratic deficit?
Ontario Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca has recklessly vowed to force through winner-take-all ranked ballots (Alternative Vote) for Ontario—or he’ll resign.
What happens in Canada’s most populous province can have a profound impact on the national campaign for proportional representation for years to come.
Those who care passionately about seeing PR in Canada—equal votes, fair outcomes and cooperative politics—can’t afford to downplay, ignore or dismiss the Liberal’s ranked ballot scheme.
Learn the risks and consequences of the Alternative Vote (non-proportional “ranked ballot”).