I'll just echo Mark's comments, as I was g...

2012-01-18T15:44:30.045-07:00

I'll just echo Mark's comments, as I was going to post almost exactly the same thing as he did!

I think democratic reform would be better served by the first two things you suggest, and by examining changes to the electoral system: preferential ballots, STV, prop representation, etc. That and ensuring that MLAs are able to vote freely, curtailing the iron-grip of the Preem/caucus leader.

I am always glad to see proposals for democratic r...

2012-01-18T13:49:43.762-07:00

I am always glad to see proposals for democratic reform, but I think your idea to cut the size of the legislature is ill-conceived. By doing this you either increase the geographic size (potentially massively) of rural districts served by individual MLA's, or you increase the under-representation of people in urban districts. We often fall for the "less politicians is better" idea but when you increase the number of constituents served per MLA, you necessarily decrease their ability to represent those constituents. How do you propose to deal with these issues?

Furthermore, I have a hard time seeing how cutting some MLA's will offset the cost of paying for a slightly smaller number of senators, who will require staff and resources just like MLA's, as well as the construction and maintenance of a place for those senators. Have you costed this idea?

Comments on The Enlightened Savage: Fish Creek Thinks Big on Democratic Reform

I'll just echo Mark's comments, as I was g...

I am always glad to see proposals for democratic r...