EDITOR:
If we are going to have a reasonable discussion of the MMP (mixed member proportional) option in the upcoming election, it is time to clarify some points put forth by MMP supporters. In 2016, we held a plebiscite, not a referendum. In that plebiscite, 18 per cent of qualified voters on P.E.I. voted. Of those who voted, 36 per cent voted in favour of MMP. Does anyone honestly think that 18 per cent of the voters on P.E.I. should be able to change the electoral voting system we have had for 146 years?
Supporters of MMP have stated that MMP will not give more power to political parties. Under MMP we will have 18 electoral districts where those chosen will be accountable to the people who elected them at the district level. The other nine elected people come from a list of 36 names (nine for each party). How are those accountable to anyone except the party which put forth their names? Supporters of MMP claim that the list candidates are not anymore beholden to their party than district candidates.
This is simply untrue. District candidates are accountable to their district and can be voted out at the next election. List candidates have no specific constituency and cannot be voted out directly. List candidates are definitely more beholden to the party who put them on the list. MMP supporters claim there is no difference between district and list candidates because the party leader signs the nomination papers of every candidate. Party leaders sign the nomination papers but it is the district who chooses their representative, whereas it is the political party who chooses the names on the list. MMP supporters refer to lop-sided majorities we have experienced on P.E.I. In reality, there has been only five times since 1900 that our legislature has had fewer than three as an Opposition.
We on the Vote-No side acknowledge that we have challenges to meet if we are to become representative of our population and our demographics. The status quo is not an option going forward. We believe that MMP is a dramatic change for a province which has held its own for 146 years. We are part of a federation, have a small legislature and cannot be compared fairly to other countries in the world with different histories and significantly larger populations. Please Vote No.
Patricia Mella,
Stratford
