| National Post |
Friday, September 14, 2007
An organization that wants voters to back plans for a new voting system has released a list of "prominent Ontario residents" supporting its cause -- though few come close to the kind of name recognition usually associated with public campaigns.
Avvy Go, Smokey Thomas and Erna Paris are three of the Ontarians Vote for MMPs points to as favouring the plan to overhaul Ontario's voting system.
Ms. Paris is an author with six books and a number of literary awards to her credit. Mr. Thomas is president of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union; and Ms. Go is director of the Metro Toronto Chinese and Southeast Asian Legal Clinic.
Also on the 39-name pro-MMP list are a few better-known figures such as Michael Bryant, Ontario's Attorney-General; singer Stompin' Tom Connors; Bob Rae, a former premier; and Stephen Lewis, a former ambassador to the United Nations.
No sign of Margaret Atwood, Rick Mercer or the Barenaked Ladies -- regular signees to worthy causes.
"We want to show that as more Ontario voters learn about the system, the more they like MMP," said Bill Gillies of Vote for MMP. "These are people who have looked at the system, looked at the proposal, and say this is the direction we should be heading in."
The list also includes Jim Harris -- the former leader of the federal Green party and a member of Vote for MMP's own campaign committee -- and Paul Hellyer, the founder of the Canadian Action Party and UFO believer.
The list does not impress opponents of the new voting system, which will be put to a provincial referendum next month at the same time as Ontario elects a new government.
"They have their list, we have our list," said Joseph Angolano, whose group -- No MMP -- favours the current first-past-the-post method of electing politicians. Unfortunately, No MMP's list is, if anything, even less awe-inspiring, populated almost entirely by politicians or former politicians.
One of the most recognizable names is Sheila Copps, former Liberal deputy prime minister.
"It [MMP] institutionalizes a system of party favours and extremism," Ms. Copps said yesterday by e-mail.
"Do we really want a parliament where the balance of power can be held by a party that secured 3% of the vote?"
The 'No' list also includes Ray Bonin, MP for Nickel Belt; Charles Harnick, former Conservative MPP and attorney-general; MPP Norm Sterling and Dwight Duncan, the Liberal Minister of Energy.
Mr. Angolano hinted the group will soon release the name of a "very, very prominent" politician who will be voting against MMP.
Mr. Gillespie says Vote for MMP will also be rolling out the names of more supporters as referendum day nears, until the list reaches 100.
1 comment:
given the majority of Ontario (and Canada for that matter) tend to vote to the left of center, I can see why this would upset the righteous right.
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