Saskatchewan Election

For the next assignment in our Poli-Sci Class, I plan to work on the campaign for Corinne Pauliuk, New Democratic Candidate for Indian Head- Milestone Constituency. By spending some time knocking on doors, and observing how the campaign is going, I expect to learn more about the challenges that face women candidates, especially in the support given to them by their party. So far I have noticed that Corinne's election signs are small, but numerous. Her main opponent in this riding is Don McMorris, a very popular Sask. Party Candidate, and our current M.L.A. Don McMorris's signs are very, very large, and while not that numerous, they are in very prominent places. The only mail drop has been from the Sask. Party. Campaigning in our rural riding will be interesting as I have not been active in politics, although I have always been very interested in what happens on the political scene. I do know that Corinne has been in an uphill battle in this campaign, and strong party support has not been there for her in what I have observed so far. In our Indian Head- Wolseley News, October 16th issue, there is a small, but front page comment; MCMORRIS STARTS FAST. Inside there is a large election ad, half page at least, listing some of the present governments faults. It finishes up asking for support. The paper has apparently not received any ads for the N.D.P. or Liberal, or any other party. Having the funds to advertise one's position certainly helps. I understand that Corinne has been doing "door to door" campaigning throughout the riding for some time, and plans to continue. I will keep you posted. Jean Kurbis

B.C.'s Citizen Assembly

This is almost my last word on Proportional Representation. On Friday October 12th, Mark E. Warren was a guest of the Philosophy and Political Science Depts. and spoke on the B.C.'s Citizen Assembly. This group of 160 citizens were chosen almost at random to participate in a study on electoral reform, specifically the STV, or Single Transferable Vote. This all took place in 2005. Two very interesting points: 1. The process was set up because of citizen discontent after several "screwy" Provincial elections in B.C. ; and after an "atmosphere" developed over the electoral process. To quote Dr. Warren, "it seemed to be wise for the government to do something about this". (If you want more information on the how this process worked, get in touch with me). 2. after three months of a) a learning about electoral systems; b) three months of public hearings and submissions; and c) three months of deliberation; the Citizens Representatives issued a recommendation for S.T.V. In a referendum held in 2005, 57% of the voters, voted YES, but 60% was needed. Nevertheless, the process has continued, and in 2009, it will likely come up in another referendum. Please note that STV is not a "party friendly system"; whereas the Ontario MMP (Mixed Member Proportional) was considered to be a "party friendly system". It would seem that Canadians do not like change all that much, and an extensive awareness and education campaign needs to take place all along the process. The B.C. process seems to have worked well, but it has its drawbacks. People who understood the process, were quite likely to vote in favor of it, those who did not, voted NO. Proportional representation would seem to be a "work in progress", driven by the voters and government. The end result should be a system the Canadian citizens trust, one that will work to get the issues that need to be brought up, brought up, and fairly debated, with resulting policies that serve the people.

Ontario Referendum

The Referendum on a form of Proportional representation was defeated soundly in Ontario's October 10th Provincial Election. Comments were few, but the general opinion seemed to be that the voting public really did not understand what it meant, so they voted for the "status quo". Here are some figures sent to me by a transplanted Saskatchewanian, now living in Ottawa. "In the current 'First Past the Post' System, Liberals were awarded 66% of the available seats with only 42% of the popular vote. The Tories were awarded 24% of the available seats with 32% of the popular vote: the NDP were awarded 9% of the available seats with 17% of the popular vote; the Green Party received 0% of the available seats with 8% of the popular vote". The observation is made that the greatest number of seats go to the winning party; a number not indicated by the number of people voting for them. Consider this further observation, " If all votes were considered equal, and the seats were divided according to the number of people voting for each party, the new Ontario Legislature would look like this: Liberals: 45 seats; Tories: 34 seats; NDP: 18 seats; Green: 9 seats; Other: 1 seat". The observation is made that this new legislature does not accurately represent the voting population. It will take time and effort by more than a few knowledgable committed people to change the system, and come up with a representative system that "accurately reflects the way people vote". With a Saskatchewan election now a reality, it is interesting that you never hear proportional representation mentioned here. It would be a good question to ask those candidates who will be knocking on your door soon!!! P.S. Thanks David in Ottawa.

Pizza with the Premier

Thursday Oct. 4th and Premier Lorne Calvert's visit to U of R. was an opportunity for me to get my question answered re How many women candidates does the N'D.P. have running in the next Provincial Election? I had never received an answer to my question when I placed a call with our local candidate. Well. Premier Lorne was kept busy with enthusiastic students, so I asked the quiet fellow that was hovering in the background. Derek Froese, Ministerial Assistant to the Premier, listened to my queston, and admitted that he didn't know offhand!!! To give him credit, he made a call on his cell phone, and came back with the answer, "Ten Women Candidates". Finally I have an answer. I am finding it frustrating to get "timely" replies from the numbers given for my local candidates. It would seem that this topic is not of very great importance now that all the candidates have been chosen. I will try and think of another way to come up this info. Meanwhile, perhaps one of the other Party Leaders will offer their time and some lunch from the "always interested" and "always hungry" students. How about "Free Wraps withBrad Wall". Sounds good to me.

women in Canadian politics

Good Morning Fellow Poli-Sci Classmates. Well, NO elections have been called, and there have been no door to door politicians calling around. Calls this morning to The Saskatchewan Party Member for my Constituency, Don McMorris, tell me that they have five sitting members who are women, and eight others who are running in the next election. Vonni, at Don's office, is getting back to me about the Sask. Party policy on Electoral Reform. Vonni said there are discussions about more women running for office. The biggest drawback for women and men candidates is not just the time it takes to run for office, but the four year time committment needed if the person running for office was elected. I am waiting for a call from Corinne Pauliuk, the N.D.P. candidate for my constituency. Don has a toll free number, 1-877-337-3366 and an e-mail address; Corinne has an e-mail address. No links this time around. Jean Kurbis

Is There a "Glass Ceiling" for Women in Politics???

It is September 2007 and there are two elections hovering on the political horizon. Saskatchewan's Lorne Calvert may risk all and call a provincial election this fall, and Canada's P.M. could decide to take his chances with the wavering electorate as the Opposition falters. Do you think women stand a better chance of being elected this time around, or is it to be more of the same with greater than fifty percent of Canada's population remaining under represented in the House of Commons, and our own Saskatchewan Legislature? I think it is important for women to be more fairly represented, but they face many challenges when they do win their constituency nomination, and that is only the beginning. Time, money, support, image, opportunities, all have to be used to the max to enable women to succeed on the political playing field. Often women are criticized the most by other women. While I would like to see more women running for office, I feel that the best way to go is to work their way up in the political party of their choice, and gain experience and visibility along the way, not parachute into a riding, or push aside another candidate to satisfy the numbers. On October 10th, Ontario voters will vote in their Provincial election. In an article by Colin Perkel in the Kingston Whig Standard, Sept. 19th 2007, he comments on the referendum on electoral reform that voters will have before them in the election. Perkel writes, "proposed changes to how Ontario elects its politicians will invariably mean more women, visible minorities and even young people find their way into provincial politics, advocates say- an outcome that critics counter is far from assured." While there are differences in the Ontario referendum from what is usually understood about proportional representation, it is a start. What do you think? Obviously the system has to change so a larger number of women and minorities have a chance at being elected. Will such a proposal face Saskatchewan voters anytime soon? I would like to think we might be so enlightened!