Category: Power

Canada’s electoral system, was intended to ensure fair representation, faces significant challenges. Particularly in the under representation of the Western provinces. This issue is exacerbated by the country’s use of a first-past-the-post (FPTP) system combined with the unequal distribution of seats in the House of Commons. Understanding this problem requires a closer look at how seats are allocated and how this affects voter influence, especially in the Western provinces.

The Seat Allocation Problem

The House of Commons has 343 seats. In theory distributed among the provinces and territories based on population. However, the allocation of seats is not purely proportional to population. Instead, it is governed by the Constitution Act, 1867. Which sets a minimum number of seats for each province and ensures that no province has fewer seats than it had in 1985. A politically charges way of assigning seats since the west was much less populated in the 80’s, and there is a historic trend of western provinces being more conservative than the maritime and eastern provinces. This means that smaller provinces have a disproportionately higher number of seats relative to their population.

• Prince Edward Island: 4 seats for approximately 164,000 people (about 41,000 people per seat).
• Ontario: 122 seats for over 14.8 million people (about 121,000 people per seat).

The Impact on Western Provinces

The Western provinces are particularly affected by this disparity. Despite having a significant portion of the country’s population and landmass, they are underrepresented in the House of Commons. This under representation can lead to a sense of disenfranchisement and a lack of influence in federal politics.

To illustrate this, consider the following:

• British Columbia: 43 seats for over 5.2 million people (about 121,000 people per seat).
• Alberta: 37 seats for approximately 4.4 million people (about 119,000 people per seat).
• Saskatchewan: 14 seats for approximately 1.2 million people (about 86,000 people per seat).
• Manitoba: 14 seats for approximately 1.4 million people (about 100,000 people per seat).

Use the interactive charts to explore this disparity. You can select which provinces you want to compare.

Historical Context and Political Implications

The issue of Western under representation has been a longstanding concern in Canadian politics. The Western provinces have often been ignored in federal decision-making processes. Think of energy policies, and firearms issues, or even freedom of expression. The western provinces often take a more libertarian stance on the issues. This has led to various political movements and demands for greater autonomy and representation.

The political implications of this under representation are significant. It can lead to a sense of alienation and a lack of trust in the federal government. Western provinces know that their interests are not being adequately considered in national policies, leading to tensions and calls for greater regional autonomy or separatism.

Potential Solutions

Addressing the issue of Western under representation requires a multi-faceted approach. Some potential solutions include:

1. Proportional Representation: Moving to a proportional representation system could help ensure that the number of seats a party wins is more closely aligned with the percentage of the popular vote it receives. This would reduce the disparity in voter power between provinces and regions.
2. Reforming Seat Allocation: Revisiting the Constitution Act to adjust the seat allocation formula could help balance the number of constituents per seat more equitably. This would involve complex negotiations and potential constitutional amendments.
3. Electoral Reform: Implementing ranked-choice voting or other alternative voting systems could help ensure that each vote has a more equal impact, regardless of the province.
4. Regional Representation: Enhancing the role of the Senate to better represent regional interests could help address some of the concerns about Western under representation. This could involve electing senators or giving them more powers to represent their regions effectively.
5. Western Separation: A more drastic solution that has been discussed is the separation of the Western provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, and Manitoba) from Canada to form an independent nation. This would allow the Western provinces to have full control over their political and economic affairs, ensuring that their interests are adequately represented. However, this solution would have significant legal, economic, and social implications and would require extensive negotiations and potential constitutional changes.

Conclusion

Given the longstanding and deeply rooted issues of Western under representation in Canada’s electoral system, it may be time to consider more drastic solutions. The Western provinces have long felt that their voices are not adequately heard in federal decision-making processes, leading to a sense of disenfranchisement and lack of influence. Despite efforts to address these issues through proportional representation, electoral reform, and enhancing regional representation in the Senate, the Western provinces continue to face significant challenges in Ottawa. Due to their under representation, the West has little power to make meaningful changes within the current federal system.

Separation, offers a path to ensuring that the Western provinces have full control over their political and economic affairs. This would allow for a more direct and effective representation of their unique interests and concerns. Separation would require extensive negotiations, legal reforms, and potential constitutional changes, but it could ultimately lead to a more equitable and representative political landscape. The Western provinces would have the opportunity to shape their own destiny, ensuring that their voices are heard and their interests are prioritized. While the process would be fraught with challenges, the potential benefits of greater autonomy and self-determination make it a solution worth considering, especially given the limited influence the West currently has in Ottawa.