LETTER
Electoral Reform: Naughy & Nice List!
Twas another year later, a key moment had passed
We hoped Trudeau was our man but alas, he works for the brass
Citing his personal opinion was all that mattered
He turned our desire for more democracy into tatters
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No need for evidence, consensus or expert opinion
‘Denying democracy was good for the Dominion’
People were outraged and promised to remember
It will take more than one guy to burn out this ember
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Across the land, people rejected ‘PMO power’
We knew there were other leaders who would not cower.
The Greens and NDP still had our backs
And the Liberals and Conservatives exposed tiny little cracks
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In Quebec there was a growing consensus
With opposition mounting a full-on offensive
PEI still had its eye on the illustrious prize
A 2018 referendum is already rallying reformers and allies
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New Brunswick, Alberta, even Ontario
All had campaigns getting ready to GO!
One self-interested politician couldn’t hold us back
Reformers across the country were planning an all-out attack
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Right now our attentions are turned to BC
Where the Greens have agreed to work with the NDP
Not afraid of Democracy, consensus or a little bad weather
Horgan and Weaver would do it by working together
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We all know policy will be stronger with majority support,
Winner-take-all thinking was falling short,
Voters could be assured their votes would no longer be wasted
With “first-past-the-post”, a poor system outdated
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Nay-sayers and opponents will stop singing the blues
And unaccountable false-majorities will become yesterday’s news
We could deal with the issues we cared about most
Pork Barrel politics would soon become toast.
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We have science to back us, a thorough examination!
That shows what happens when you have Proportional Representation
Effective vote, collaborative politics, voter choice and diversity,
regional balance, consensus, no more unaccountable-false-majorities!
Countries did better on carbon emissions
Women in government had better representation.
Income inequality decreased when votes really counted
And fiscal deficits fell while surpluses mounted
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Not a partisan issue or clandestine plot.
It’s more than a ballot or the way that we vote.
It’s about having a seat at the decision-making-table
to deal with real issues and keep Government stable.
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From coast to coast to coast arose a loud chatter.
We knew we had to make ALL our votes matter
The biggest reform since women got the vote!
We can do it, we know it, it’s not that remote.
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It will take pressure from all corners of this mighty land
Like most great movements, it will take many hands
We can all work together, no more false-starts
And we’ll do it by supporting our Provincial Counterparts
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So this holiday season when you’re deciding where to give
Consider democracy and the place where you live
We’re not there yet, we need to keep the movement afloat!
Kelly, Anita, Réal, Brenda, Wilf, Debbie, Jenn and Ehab
Fair Vote Canada, Ottawa
