representation

Friday December 2, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Friday December 2, 2016 Liberal MPs recommend breaking electoral reform promise Liberal MPs are recommending the government break its promise to overhaul CanadaÕs electoral system by 2019. An all-party committee report released Thursday recommended giving Canadians a choice between the status quo and a new, more proportional voting system in a nationwide referendum. But the Liberals on the committee dissented from that report, saying the timeline set by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is too Òrushed,Ó and the recommendations of the committee too Òradical.Ó ÒWe believe Canadians are far from being adequately engaged with the electoral reform discussion,Ó their dissenting report reads. ÒOur position is that the timeline on electoral reform as proposed in the (report) is unnecessarily hasty and runs the risk of undermining the legitimacy of the process by racing towards a predetermined deadline.Ó Trudeau promised during last yearÕs election campaign that Ò2015 (would be) the last election under first-past-the-post,Ó a system that critics argue distorts the popular vote. The last two majority governments, for instance, were elected with less than 40 per cent of the popular vote. It took months, however, for the government to strike an all-party committee to begin studying the issue. And in May, Democratic Institutions Minister Maryam Monsef changed the promise, pledging electoral reform only with Òbroad supportÓ from the public. What constitutes Òbroad supportÓ has still not been defined. But in their report, the Liberals simply say not enough Canadians are engaged on the matter to move ahead with a new system for 2019. It will be up to Trudeau and the Liberals to either accept their MPs recommendations, or to push ahead with their promise. (Source: Toronto Star) https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/12/01/liberal-mps-recommend-breaking-electoral-reform-promise.html Canada, electoral, reform, votin

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday December 2, 2016

Liberal MPs recommend breaking electoral reform promise

Liberal MPs are recommending the government break its promise to overhaul Canada’s electoral system by 2019.

An all-party committee report released Thursday recommended giving Canadians a choice between the status quo and a new, more proportional voting system in a nationwide referendum.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Friday October 21, 2016 Is Trudeau jockeying to avoid fulfilling promise on electoral reform? Is Justin Trudeau laying the groundwork for reneging on his promise to make the 2015 federal election the last to be conducted under the first-past-the-post voting system? Or is the prime minister trying to drive a hard bargain with the NDP and Greens to abandon their own ambitious preference for a proportional voting system and settle for a more modest change to a ranked ballot system? Those questions were touched off Wednesday by an interview Trudeau gave to MontrealÕs Le Devoir newspaper. In it, Trudeau said major electoral reforms would require ÒsubstantialÓ support. But he simultaneously argued that the public clamour for change seems to have diminished since the Liberals defeated Stephen HarperÕs Conservatives one year ago. ÒUnder the current system, (Canadians) now have a government theyÕre more satisfied with and the motivation to change the electoral system is less compelling,Ó he said. NDP Leader Tom Mulcair took that as clear evidence that Trudeau is preparing to break his promise on electoral reform. ÒI do believe that Mr. Trudeau is showing the type of cynicism that he used to always decry when he was in opposition,Ó Mulcair said. ÒWhat could be more cynical that to say, ÔYou know what? This is a totally unfair system because it allowed Stephen Harper to get a massive majority with only 39 per cent of the vote,Õ and then, exactly one year later, say, ÒOh, but by the way, itÕs a darn good system because it allowed Justin Trudeau to get a massive majority with just 39 per cent of the vote.ÕÓ (Source: Toronto Star)Êhttps://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/10/19/is-trudeau-jockeying-to-avoid-fulfilling-promise-on-electoral-reform.html Canada, Justin Trudeau, Thomas Mulcair, electoral reform, election, reform, electoral, torch, promise

 October 21, 2016

But the Liberals on the committee dissented from that report, saying the timeline set by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is too “rushed,” and the recommendations of the committee too “radical.”

“We believe Canadians are far from being adequately engaged with the electoral reform discussion,” their dissenting report reads.

“Our position is that the timeline on electoral reform as proposed in the (report) is unnecessarily hasty and runs the risk of undermining the legitimacy of the process by racing towards a predetermined deadline.”

Trudeau promised during last year’s election campaign that “2015 (would be) the last election under first-past-the-post,” a system that critics argue distorts the popular vote. The last two majority governments, for instance, were elected with less than 40 per cent of the popular vote.

It took months, however, for the government to strike an all-party committee to begin studying the issue. And in May, Democratic Institutions Minister Maryam Monsef changed the promise, pledging electoral reform only with “broad support” from the public.

What constitutes “broad support” has still not been defined. But in their report, the Liberals simply say not enough Canadians are engaged on the matter to move ahead with a new system for 2019.

It will be up to Trudeau and the Liberals to either accept their MPs recommendations, or to push ahead with their promise. (Source: Toronto Star)

 

Saturday October 1, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Saturday October 1, 2016 Eisenberger takes on 'foolish' LRT critics Mayor Fred Eisenberger has come out swinging against surging opposition to LRT among city councillors, which now includes a referendum pledge and "informal discussions" about approaching the province for a new transit deal. "I think it's unfortunate and foolish to go down this road," said Eisenberger, vowing to do everything "humanly possible" to get council to stay the course on the $1-billion provincially-funded project. Eisenberger warns that if council votes for a referendum it will stop the LRT implementation process dead in its tracks and possibly kill the project. Additionally, he says it's "foolhardy" for councillors to believe there's an alternative deal to be had with the province to redirect money earmarked for transit into infrastructure repairs. "I think the province will take a pretty dim view of coming back with some alternate plans to what we've supported, nurtured and asked for.Ó The mayor was responding to Coun. Chad Collins' promise to bring forward a motion next spring to include the contentious LRT issue as a referendum question on the October 2018 municipal election ballot. Eisenberger says if councillors oppose LRT they shouldn't be "hiding behind" a plebiscite. "If they really want to kill LRT then they should own it and they should put a motion forward to do exactly that and stand up and be counted.Ó Eisenberger was also taking issue with backroom talks about exploring alternatives to the project, which will run from McMaster University to Queenston traffic circle, with a spur line on James North. Coun. Donna Skelly told The Spectator she hopes that "informal discussions" currently taking place will result in the city approaching the province for a new deal. The outspoken LRT critic says a number of councillors are looking at options of how to secure the provincial funding for some other form of rapid

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday October 1, 2016

Eisenberger takes on ‘foolish’ LRT critics

Mayor Fred Eisenberger has come out swinging against surging opposition to LRT among city councillors, which now includes a referendum pledge and “informal discussions” about approaching the province for a new transit deal.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator - Wednesday July 27, 2016 LRT report not about Ôus-and-themÕ says Whitehead A Mountain councillor says a report his office authored to challenge Hamilton's plan for a $1-billion light rail line in the lower city is meant to offer "sober second thought" as the project moves forward. "What is the best net benefit to the community at large?" Coun. Terry Whitehead told The Spectator's editorial board Monday. But just hours after Whitehead released his report, Christopher Higgins, one of its key sources, released viaÊTwitterÊscathing feedback of the Ward 8 councillor's 58-page effort. Higgins publicized an annotated version of Whitehead's report early Monday, discrediting it for using study material "cherry-picked for maximum effect rather than to present a balanced analysis." That, Whitehead said, was "unprofessional." "Who does a peer review on Twitter for all to see?" Whitehead said he and assistant Howard Rabb, who co-authored the report, had asked for Higgins' feedback before publication, but that the researcher said he was pressed for time and heading to China. Higgins, a post-doctoral researcher at McMaster University's Institute for Transportation and Logistics, said a "role for MITL as peer reviewer was mentioned, but never acted upon." Whitehead rejected the report lacks context, saying links to PDFs of full studies it cites are just a click away on its host microsite.Ê The work isn't meant to be scientific, but an attempt to find answers, he added: "I'm not doing a scientific study, let's be clear." During the editorial board meeting, Whitehead said the report isn't about ward politics, either. "This is not an us-and-them thing, as much as people want to pigeonhole me on that." Rather, theÊreportÊÑ which questions projections for ridership, land values, development spinoff and system efficiency Ñ is meant to foster a more "fulsome" take on the project. Whitehead argues staff has presente

 July 27, 2016

“I think it’s unfortunate and foolish to go down this road,” said Eisenberger, vowing to do everything “humanly possible” to get council to stay the course on the $1-billion provincially-funded project.

Eisenberger warns that if council votes for a referendum it will stop the LRT implementation process dead in its tracks and possibly kill the project.

Additionally, he says it’s “foolhardy” for councillors to believe there’s an alternative deal to be had with the province to redirect money earmarked for transit into infrastructure repairs.

“I think the province will take a pretty dim view of coming back with some alternate plans to what we’ve supported, nurtured and asked for.”

Wednesday May 27, 2015

May 27, 2015

The mayor was responding to Coun. Chad Collins’ promise to bring forward a motion next spring to include the contentious LRT issue as a referendum question on the October 2018 municipal election ballot.

Eisenberger says if councillors oppose LRT they shouldn’t be “hiding behind” a plebiscite.

“If they really want to kill LRT then they should own it and they should put a motion forward to do exactly that and stand up and be counted.”

October 28, 2014

October 28, 2014

Eisenberger was also taking issue with backroom talks about exploring alternatives to the project, which will run from McMaster University to Queenston traffic circle, with a spur line on James North.

Coun. Donna Skelly told The Spectator she hopes that “informal discussions” currently taking place will result in the city approaching the province for a new deal.

The outspoken LRT critic says a number of councillors are looking at options of how to secure the provincial funding for some other form of rapid transit but also put money toward the city’s $3.5 billion infrastructure deficit.  (Continued: Hamilton Spectator)

 

Friday June 24, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Friday June 24, 2016 Should HamiltonÕs ward boundaries be redrawn to reflect areas of growth, perhaps even adding a 16th ward? The question is, should they remain or should they go? Not just in Britain Ñ although the Brexit debate has been kind of important, too. Should Hamilton's 15 ward boundaries remain the same or change? That has been the topic at a series of public meetings on the issue Ñ the most recent this week at Waterdown's Legion Hall. But the tepid turnout in Waterdown Ñ only three people showed Ñ and also last week at Tim Hortons Field, suggests residents may not be all that engaged. In fairness, "Ward Boundary Review" is a subject hardly guaranteed to reel in even the most civic minded on a long, warm summer night. And Mayor Fred Eisenberger predicted neither councillors nor constituents would have much enthusiasm to tackle the issue. But last spring council voted to hire consultants to undertake a boundary review Ñ at cost of $270,000 Ñ to explore if changes would better reflect shifting population patterns. For example, Ward 7 on the central Mountain has 62,000 residents while rural Ward 14 in Flamborough has about 17,000. Among the alternatives suggested by the consultants: rearrange wards to follow federal riding boundaries; reshape wards to better reflect population; add a 16th ward. One option (shown on the map) shows a proposed Ward 16 on the Mountain, and also redrawing Ward 15 so it would geographically be smaller than it is now Ñ essentially Waterdown on its own, defined by Milburough Line to the east, Concession 7 to the north, Hwy 6. and Millgrove Sideroad to the west, to roughly the Niagara Escarpment along the southern border. Ward 15 Coun. Judi Partridge, whose ward is about 70 per cent rural, says consultants are paying too little attention to criteria such as culture, heritage, and the natural environment, and focusing too heavily on population. She added that

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday June 24, 2016

Should Hamilton’s ward boundaries be redrawn to reflect areas of growth, perhaps even adding a 16th ward?

The question is, should they remain or should they go?

Not just in Britain — although the Brexit debate has been kind of important, too.

Should Hamilton’s 15 ward boundaries remain the same or change?

That has been the topic at a series of public meetings on the issue — the most recent this week at Waterdown’s Legion Hall.

But the tepid turnout in Waterdown — only three people showed — and also last week at Tim Hortons Field, suggests residents may not be all that engaged.

In fairness, “Ward Boundary Review” is a subject hardly guaranteed to reel in even the most civic minded on a long, warm summer night.

April 26, 2012

April 26, 2012

And Mayor Fred Eisenberger predicted neither councillors nor constituents would have much enthusiasm to tackle the issue.

But last spring council voted to hire consultants to undertake a boundary review — at cost of $270,000 — to explore if changes would better reflect shifting population patterns.

For example, Ward 7 on the central Mountain has 62,000 residents while rural Ward 14 in Flamborough has about 17,000.

Among the alternatives suggested by the consultants: rearrange wards to follow federal riding boundaries; reshape wards to better reflect population; add a 16th ward.

One option (shown on the map) shows a proposed Ward 16 on the Mountain, and also redrawing Ward 15 so it would geographically be smaller than it is now — essentially Waterdown on its own, defined by Milburough Line to the east, Concession 7 to the north, Hwy 6. and Millgrove Sideroad to the west, to roughly the Niagara Escarpment along the southern border.

Ward 15 Coun. Judi Partridge, whose ward is about 70 per cent rural, says consultants are paying too little attention to criteria such as culture, heritage, and the natural environment, and focusing too heavily on population.

She added that the trio of residents who showed at the Waterdown meeting was pressed by consultants to pick a favourite option, but found the exercise too complex to choose.

Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. wrote in their report that electoral boundaries should be reviewed every 10-15 years, and Hamilton’s have been the same since amalgamation in 2001.(Source: Hamilton Spectator)

 

Tuesday September 11, 2007

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday September 11, 2007

Electoral reform on ballot? Who knew?

It would be the most radical change in close to a century in the way we elect provincial politicians.

To find out what people think about the Ontario referendum being held a month from today, the Toronto Star stopped 50 people at Yonge & Bloor Sts. — Just one person knew about it.

Only three others were interested enough to listen to what was being proposed.

On Oct. 10, in addition to voting for the next provincial government, Ontarians will be asked if they want to keep the traditional way of electing MPPs or opt for a new mixed-member proportional system that advocates argue will more fairly represent voters’ wishes.

“I don’t know anything about it” and the ever-popular “huh?” were the most common responses to questions about what people thought about the referendum.

This is all a bit depressing for many on the 104-member Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform who spent months studying electoral systems before choosing mixed-member proportional as the best option for Ontario.

Those who like it say it will give small parties a realistic shot at seats in the Legislature.

Those who dislike it say it will destabilize Ontario with never-ending minority governments. (Source: Toronto Star)