Stephen Harper’s Conservatives want to move closer to a one citizen, one vote system to “see some fairness” for provinces whose populations are increasing, Government House Leader Peter Van Loan says.
Speaking to reporters in advance of the House getting back to work Thursday, Mr. Loan said some votes are not worth the same as others – and this is undemocratic.
“What has happened is that we’ve have had a situation arise where votes are worth very different amounts across the country,” he said. “This is because the existing formula restrains the growth of seats in areas that are experiencing high growth, particularly in Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia.”
Mr. Van Loan was reacting to a report in The Globe and Mail that revealed the government wants to increase seats in the House of Commons to 338 from 308. The additional seats would go to Alberta, Ontario and British Columbia.
Legislation on this initiative would not be introduced immediately, Mr. Van Loan said. “It’s a fundamental principle of democracy to move closer to equal weight for [voters].”
But Quebec – and this could be where the Tories are vulnerable – would not see any increase from the 75 seats currently allotted to the province.
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