Everybody's Wrong But Me » referendum

Rex Murphy and Québec sovereignty

Frédéric Van Caenegem — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 05:43:40 +0000

Recently I was greatly surprise to hear Rex Murphy criticizing Jack Layton’s position that the NDP will respect Québec decisions regarding a possible referendum on sovereignty. While one can disagree with the independence of Québec, one can surely respect an opponent’s decision’s, I don’t see what is “weak” about that! Rex is quick to tell Continue reading →

Christy Clark on BC-STV

Frédéric Van Caenegem — Mon, 11 May 2009 16:51:38 +0000

If you just have one thing to watch before making your mind on the referendum, I recommend Christy Clark’s comment. It is available here on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhccpzI4lbQ If you can’t see the video, the text is available on cknw’s website here: http://www.cknw.com/blog/christys_bc_15/blogentry.aspx?BlogEntryID=10031397 Frédéric Van Caenegem

BC-STV ridings make sense

Frédéric Van Caenegem — Mon, 11 May 2009 16:40:19 +0000

My last of three short texts regarding the referendum One aspect on which very little has been written on is the ridings under BC-STV and FPTP electoral systems. One quick look at the map will show one thing very quickly: the ridings are bigger under BC-STV! That being said, are they better? The current system Continue reading →

STV vs MMP

Frédéric Van Caenegem — Thu, 07 May 2009 18:53:20 +0000

The second of three short text about the upcoming referendum. Some MMP supporter say vote no for STV, because we are going to have instead a supposedly better system in MMP. While I certainly respect that some people may prefer MMP to STV, I urge voters to actually vote regarding the two systems proposed on Continue reading →

BC-STV and the Indo-Canadian vote

Frédéric Van Caenegem — Tue, 05 May 2009 07:21:42 +0000

BC-STV and the Indo-Canadian vote My first of three short articles regarding BC-STV Before the referendum on May 6th. This article is about electioneering, a discipline that is absolutely despicable but also unfortunately very efficient! There is a general negative attitude towards BC-STV in the Indo-Canadian community. The reason comes from an association of the Continue reading →

On May 12

Frédéric Van Caenegem — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 03:11:10 +0000

My latest comment published in today’s 24hrs newspaper. It is an unusually very neutral comment from myself. On May 12, the referendum on electoral reform will be more important than the election itself. The election will impact us for the next few years; the referendum will impact us for the next few decades at the Continue reading →

BC-STV could get rid of by-elections!

Frédéric Van Caenegem — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 06:27:40 +0000

Every time there is a by-election, I hear people saying the same thing: “How much is this going to cost?”. I usually respond: “democracy has a price, and that price is less onerous than a “free” dictatorship”. But that being said, is there a way to mitigate the costs related to an election? Right now, Continue reading →