Proportional representation is a wonderful thing. That’s why most countries use it. The movement in Canada for PR is growing all the time. But one of the biggest obstacles, is the lack of awareness and the lack of understanding.
There are lot of BAD video out there about proportional representation. Fair Vote Canada is looking for some GOOD ones. Maybe even a few GREAT ones!
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This week, I had the privilege of spending some time with Steve Paikin, and talking about the merits of municipal ranked ballots and runoff voting.
Watch here.
UPDATE (April 11) • Good news, in regards to this story. The National Council of Fair Vote Canada has voted to reinstate Desmond Cole and Katherine Skene on the Toronto Chapter Executive. Also, they have accepted the nominations (previously rejected) for National Council, for Sarah Lambert, Gautam Lamba, and others.
There is also now a comprehensive agreement in place that allows both RaBIT and Fair Vote to work collaboratively. (Details to come shortly…)
I want to personally thank Jim Harris who has been working tirelessly to forge a consensus and encourage a healthy dialogue and required compromise on all sides. He is truly a master of mediation.
As someone who is a committed volunteer for both RaBIT and Fair Vote, I’m thrilled to see everyone on the same page. Thanks Jim, and also thanks to our Executive Director, Wayne Smith. And thanks to all members of National Council who supported this positive step forward.
Now, let’s get to work. If you support proportional representation, and you’re not a member of Fair Vote… join today! It’s only $10:
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Original post:
A couple of weeks ago, three members of Fair Vote Canada were expelled from their elected positions on the Toronto Chapter Executive (myself, Desmond Cole and Katherine Skene). One week later, three members were told that their nominations for the Fair Vote National Council had been rejected (Sarah Lambert, Gautam Lamba and Katherine) – simply because they had volunteered with an external group.
I’ve been involved with community organising for 15 years. I’ve volunteered for dozens of groups in Toronto, I’ve been employed by about 15 non-profits, I’ve served as a Director on boards such as the Mayworks Arts Festival, and I’ve been a member of two political parties. I’ve seen my share of conflict. But in all that time, I can say that I’ve never experienced this kind of exclusionary, top-down, anti-democratic behaviour. It’s stunning, and the worst part is that it’s happening within an organisation called “Fair Vote”.
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Here’s my latest op-ed, about how we can build financial support for transit expansion, by celebrating the shovels (and machines) that are already in the ground.
(Cross-posted from the Star, March 1)
(Also, here’s a great follow-up from TTC Chair Karen Stintz, March 5)
After years of political bickering and setbacks, there seems to be a renewed sense of optimism about public transit in Toronto. Major outreach campaigns have been launched across the region. Metrolinx recently hosted public roundtable discussions, Toronto City Hall has announced a transit consultation process and Civic Action is running a campaign asking commuters how they would spend an extra 32 minutes a day – if transit was more efficient. Each project has similar goals: to seek input on future transit planning and help build public support for new revenue sources required to implement the province’s regional transit plan, The Big Move.
The campaigns are clever and effective, but if we want to get people really excited about building transit perhaps there are lessons we can learn from an entirely different Big Move.
Something interesting is happening. In a political culture dominated by fierce partisanship, a growing number of people are talking about cooperation.
During last year’s NDP leadership race, Nathan Cullen ran on a platform of cross-party electoral cooperation. He didn’t win the race, but he attracted (and boosted) the support, energy and enthusiasm of a growing movement for a progressive alliance.
Now, the Liberal Party is having a leadership race, and they also have a candidate who’s preaching constructive cooperation. Her name is Joyce Murray and when I heard about her campaign six weeks ago, I volunteered to organise her first public campaign event in Toronto. The gathering was fun, positive, and attracted people from across the progressive spectrum.
City Hall has more than a dozen committees, dealing with parks, transportation, budget, social services, development planning, etc. And each committee meets every month, with a huge agenda.
For those who want to stay on top of a particular municipal issue, the hardest part is navigating through these agendas, and finding the topic you need. After all, it’s not very helpful to find out about a decision at City Hall after it’s been made. The trick is to know about agenda items, before they are debated.
Well, here’s some good news! The good folks at the Toronto Public Space Initiative have designed a new website called TABS: Transparent and Accessible Bulletin System.
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Have you ever wondered how your neighbourhood would look with a brand new three-storey podium? I have. I think it would look really weird. I have serious concerns about the practicality of such a podium, the inevitable noise pollution, and the lack of integration with the surrounding architecture – not to mention a complete lack of retail space.
