Trudeau stands with Harper, votes against a fairer voting system for Canada

For anyone who wants fairer elections, it was disappointing to see Justin Trudeau continue to stand with Stephen Harper and oppose electoral reform – even while 16 members of his caucus defied his leadership and voted in favour of the NDP’s proposal to change Canada’s voting system.

And this isn’t the first time Mr. Trudeau made a stand in favour of a winner take all status quo and against fairer voting based on proportional representation.

When Joyce Murray asked him why he didn’t support proportional representation – even though a majority of Canadians support this reform, he said:

“Too many people don’t understand the polarization and the micro issues that come through proportional representation.” – Liberal Leadership Debate, Halifax, March 3, 2013

Mr. Trudeau went on to say:

“The problem with proportional representation is that every different model of proportional representation actually increases partisanship, not reduces it” – Liberal Leadership Debate, Halifax, March 3, 2013

Trudeau is either mischaracterizing proportional representation or doesn't understand it. The reality is proportional representation is used around the world to make parliaments more reflective of the voters, and work more cooperatively.

Despite this, Mr. Trudeau stubbornly believes it’s fine for a party to have a majority of seats in the House of Commons despite only receiving support from a minority of Canadian voters.

That’s on Trudeau’s record. Canadians deserve better.