Have you lived a billion seconds? Hint: You’ve lived a million seconds if you are 12 days old. If you’ve lived a billion seconds, you are almost 32.
Now, imagine if dollars were seconds and your lifetime
earnings were $2.2 million. How many days is that? About 26 days. But
billionaires? They’ve got 32 years' worth of dollars to burn. They only need to
spend 12 days' worth to flood election campaigns with donations, channel
lobbyists into key positions, and submerge politicians in a tide of influence. With
just a 0.00094 of their fortune, they shape policies, cut themselves tax
breaks, and rig the system in their favor.
Under first-past-the-post (FPTP), winning isn’t about
representing the most people; it’s about gaming the system. A party can win
total control with just 39% of the vote, leaving the majority without a voice.
And who benefits? The ultra-rich.
Proportional representation (PR) is a remedy. PR ensures
seats match votes, making it harder for wealthy donors to buy governments. More
diverse voices in the legislature mean fewer policies to benefit the wealthy
and more policies that serve people and the planet.
If you’re tired of a democracy that prioritizes profit over
people and our planet, support PR. It’s time to reclaim our democracy for
everyone. With electoral reform through PR, we can take the next
step—transforming our economy from a linear system of extraction and
exploitation to a circular one centered on sustainability and justice. Visit FairVote.ca and/or CharterChallenge.ca.
