We will make every Vote count

It’s written right there on the Liberal’s Real Change website, posted during the 2015 election: “We will make every vote count.”Right before the 2015 election, the Liberals wanted to change our voting system, and they wanted it done ASAP. In fact, they stated they were “committed to ensuring that 2015 will be the last federal election conducted under the first-past-the-post voting system.”This is great news for our democracy.Our current system is called, first-past-the-post voting. In this system, if the candidate you voted for in your riding doesn’t win, your vote is lost. As a result of this, more than half of all votes don’t count in current elections and majority governments are elected with less than 50% of the popular vote.Thanks to our voting system, here are your options when the political party/leader you like best is in third according to polls:

• Rather than vote, stay home because your vote won’t count.
• Vote for the party you like most and accept that your vote won’t count.
• Vote for second best because you don’t want your vote to be wasted…

Option (c) is called “strategic voting” which means you just wait around and watch the polls to figure out what everyone else is doing so you can figure out whom to vote for to block the worse option. Yes, make up your mind based on what you think other people might do. Not very inspiring, is it?In the 2011 federal elections, and for the first time ever, the Liberals were a victim and not a beneficiary of strategic voting. It’s ironic, since Liberals always tell NDP and Green voters to vote strategically to block Conservatives. In the end, the Liberals ended up in third place for the first time ever. And man, were they bitter about it.Thanks to our first-past-the-post system, the Liberals ended up with almost 20% of the votes but only 11% of the seats in parliament. That meant almost half of all Liberal votes were effectively wasted and ignored. Another silly by-product of the election was that Harper got a majority government when 60% of people voted against him. A majority government means that one party has 100% of the power until the next election.So, the Liberals began talking about changing the voting system to make “every vote count”. It only took a historic colossal defeat for the Liberal establishment to finally talk about doing the right thing.Proportional representation makes every vote countLuckily, there is currently a voting system that counts every vote. That system is called proportional representation and it appears in far more countries than our system. In fact, 7 of the top 10 countries as ranked by the Legatum Prosperity Index have a form of proportional representation. Only one country, Canada (ranked 6^th), uses first-past-the-post voting.In proportional representation, the percentage of seats a party receives in parliament is proportional to the number of votes they receive across the province or country. That means if your candidate doesn’t win the seat, then your vote still has an effect on the make-up of government. No more wasted votes.In 2011, under proportional representation, the Liberals would have received 20% of the seats because they received 20% of the votes. The Conservatives would have had a minority government with 40% of the seats in parliament. A minority government means politicians have to compromise with other parties in order to table a budget and make things happen. This means that even if the party you wanted loses, they (and therefore you) still have a say on policy.Proportional representation makes every vote count, diminishes the need for strategic voting and only creates majority governments when they are deserved.Will the Liberals improve our democracy or simply help themselves?The results of this past election may in fact be a terrible blow to electoral reform. With a country-wide anti-Harper swing, strategic voting gave the Liberals a majority government (with only 39% of the vote!).We saw that the Liberals became serious about changing the voting system when they thought it could benefit them. Now that our unfair electoral system has benefited them again, will they change it?If they do, my bet is that they will go for preferential/ranked ballot because it is the system they believe will benefit them the most. In this system, you rank your first, second, third, etc. choice when you vote but it does not fix the fact that your first choice will likely get ignored. As such, millions and millions of first place votes will get wasted again. Ranked ballot systems are a terrible choice for creating multi-party democracy and easily create majority government even though the winner gets less than 50% of people’s first choice.The Liberals like this because they believe they are everybody’s second choice and thus ranked ballot will benefit THEM the most.In their platform, the Liberals said they would “convene an all-party Parliamentary committee to review a wide variety of reforms”. Sounds fair, right? They can easily stack the committee with politicians to get the result they want.The real way to make every vote count is proportional representation, a system of government that respect’s people first choice on how they believe their country and province should be run. What the Liberals do on improving our democracy above all will determine if they are serious about real change.

West - Humber River-Black Creek Candidate Profile

Getting to know your Federal candidates: York-CentreElection time is just around the corner and Canadians from coast to coast are preparing to participate in a pretty big election. For over a decade our country has been run by the Harper Conservatives, and on Monday, October 19 we’ll be given the opportunity to possibly change that. As citizens of this country we have the right, privilege and responsibility to participate in a democratic election. It’s up to us to do our research, ask questions and equip ourselves with the right tools to elect the right people who are going to represent us on every level of government, in this case federally. As we approach Election Day, ask yourself how the current government makes you feel. If you are not happy then it should serve as motivation to participate in the 2015 federal election. In this issue you can learn more about the three major party candidates running in this election in your riding.Darnel Harris serves as Director and President of Regenesis, a post-secondary based environmental, social justice and community organization. He helped to launch YUM! –York University Farmer’s Market and has secured space for a new community bike centre that serves the Black Creek community. His involvement in Breaking Down the Barriers to Biking in the Black Creek Area, a major research project, has laid the foundation for bike infrastructure and programming at York University and in the Black Creek community. Harris recently earned his Master of Environmental Studies from York University and served as the graduate student representative on York University’ Board of Governors where he served on the Land and Property and Marketing, Communications & Community Affairs Committees, from 2013-2015.Liberal: Judy SgroJudy Sgro has been the Liberal Member of Parliament in York-West since 1999. As Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Sgro championed family re-unification policies and worked to ensure that Canada’s immigration system is fair and compassionate and currently serves as the Liberal Critic for Industry. Prior to joining federal politics, she represented North York municipally, focusing on poverty and crime reduction. She was appointed Chair of the Prime Minister’s Task Force on Urban Issues, during this time she helped to mold a national urban policy on issues like funding for social housing, crime mitigation strategies, and strategies to promote human rights and religious freedoms around the world.Conservative: Kerry Vandenberg Kerry Vandenberg is a former Canadian Armed Forces Officer and is committed to ensuring that families, youth and seniors live in a Canada that is prosperous, safe and affordable. Vandenberg has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Neuroschience from McMaster University and has an MBA from the Schulich School of Business, he has also worked as a business consultant and advisor to elected officials.(ARTICLE CONTD PAGE)We asked each party candidate several questions to better help you understand how they will represent you in the community.Downsview Advocate:“How will your party address the issue of people, with disabilities, living below the poverty line due to the inadequate federal disability pension?”Darnel Harris - NDP:“Within our first six months in office, we will sit down with our provincial partners across the country to put in place a strong plan for change. Here in our community, that will mean people living below the poverty line will benefit from the affordable housing generated from our national housing strategy. We will also increase the Guaranteed Income Supplement to ensure people with disabilities can live with dignity.”For more information or to contact the campaign office visit:http://darnelharris.ndp.ca/aboutDownsview Advocate: “What do you think is important for the community & what would your party do for our community at a local level?”Judy Sgro - Liberal:“The Liberals (Justin Trudeau) and I want to help by; sending families a tax-free, monthly child benefit of up to $533 per child; offering a 7% tax cut to middle-income workers (saving you $600 each year); and sy asking the wealthiest Canadians to pay a little more so you can pay a little less. The Liberal Party has made a decision to generate policy options that put people first.We will address local problems with national solution.”For more information or to contact the campaign office visit:https://judysgro.liberal.ca/Kerry Vandenberg -Conservative:Did not answer any questions.For more information or to contact the campaign office visit:http://kerryvandenberg.ca/ 

East - York‎ Centre Federal Candidate Profile

Election time is just around the corner and Canadians from coast to coast are preparing to participate in a pretty big election. For over a decade our country has been run by the Harper Conservatives, and on Monday, October 19 we’ll be given the opportunity to possibly change that. As citizens of this country we have the right, privilege and responsibility to participate in a democratic election. It’s up to us to do our research, ask questions and equip ourselves with the right tools to elect the right people who are going to represent us on every level of government, in this case federally. As we approach Election Day, ask yourself how the current government makes you feel. If you are not happy then it should serve as motivation to participate in the 2015 federal election. In this issue you can learn more about the three major party candidates running in this election in your riding.New Democratic Party: Dr. Hal ‎Berman Dr. Berman has been involved with the New Democratic Party since 1984. Berman provides home care to patients through the Temmy Latner Centre at Mount Sinai Hospital. He is also an Assistant Professor with the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto, where he manages the end-of-life care education curriculum. And serves as camp doctor at Camp Erin, an annual camp that provides support for children and youth ages 6-17 who are grieving loss. This is Berman’s first time running for public office.“I am excited to be a part of what I hope will be a truly historic election on October 19.”Liberal: Michael Levitt Michael Levitt is a lifelong Liberal and a dedicated volunteer who has worked on federal, provincial and municipal campaigns. He is a founding member of the Canadian Jewish Political Affairs Committee, a member of the Bathurst Manor Action Group and sits on the boards of the Koffler Centre of the Arts and Mount Sinai Hospital. Levitt is a local businessman, happily married and the proud father of two children. If elected, he will continue to focus on the local issues, like the protection of Downsview Park, economic development and opportunities for all York Centre residents. Conservative: Mark Adler Mark Adler has been a Member of Parliament for York Centre since May 2, 2011. He is a member of the House of Commons Finance Committee and Government Operations Committee. Adler works closely with the Department of Public Works and Government Services and is Co-Chair of the Canada-Russia Parliamentary Friendship Group, Co-Chair of the All-Party Interfaith Committee and Co-Chair of the All-Party Eating Disorder Caucus. Throughout his life, Adler has dedicated his time to raise awareness about discrimination and antisemitism.We asked each party candidate several questions to better help you understand how they will represent you in the community. Downsview Advocate:“Polls show that the NDP has a chance, for the first time, to form government. Why should people give the NDP a chance?”Hal Berman - NDP:“In the last decade Canadians have seen their country change from the vision that we hold for it. Our short-sided foreign policy has earned us international ridicule. Our civil rights have been challenged time and time again by a government that would keep power by using fear to divide us. The New Democratic Party has a history of being at the forefront of social change, from Medicare to social assistance.  It is the only party that insists that full time workers be paid a salary that keeps them above the poverty line.  It is the only party that has a clear plan to defend and strengthen public health care, including a National Palliative Care strategy. We are the only ones who will ensure that people can afford to work with the knowledge that their children are safe in quality, affordable, $15 dollar a day daycare.”For more information or to contact the campaign office visit: http://halberman.ndp.ca/ Downsview Advocate:“Polls have shown your party as coming in 3rd, why should people vote for the Liberal party this time, when many walked away from it in 2011?”Micheal Levitt -Liberal:“We’re a new, re-engaged party, presenting new and strong ideas to make Canada better. We have a plan and a team to grow the middle class and provide a fair opportunity to Canadians, or individuals wanting to become Canadian, to better their lives in this country. For almost ten years, this country has suffered from myopic, self-serving government. It’s time for real change.”For more information or to contact the campaign office visit: http://michaellevitt.liberal.ca/biography/Mark Adler -Conservative:Did not answer any questions.For more information or to contact the campaign office visit: http://markadler2015.com/

Change is in the air across Canada

The fall is auguring change for the October 19th election. Two thirds across what will be the longest election in living memory most polls vary in results, with one exception: Canadians in very large majorities want chang and do not agree with the direction of the country. This has been a great handicap for the Conservatives, as they struggled out of the gate early on in the election. They have also been sideswiped by a series of events, some of their making, some not. The list seems to grow weekly, but voters seem adamant to let them take the responsibility for the Duffy trial, the recessionary climate of the economy, low oil prices and the refugee crisis. Their chances of winning a majority, at least currently, are miniscule by all measures. The Conservative record does them no help. We have struggled economically in the east of the country for some time as manufacturing flounders and the nowthe west is hit with low oil prices and higher unemployment. The great calculus of turning Canada into an energy superpower has turned to dust, even as our foreign policy master plan has whittled. At home, controversy over Bill C-51 and nonexisting environmentalpolicy has left the Conservative party on the outs with more Canadians than at any time over the lifespan of this government. Not even conservatives are very enthused about the party as time has proven its leadership and Harper more adept at surviving that at being truly Conservative, a too Liberal quality for most true conservatives. The government of the last 10 years has racked the most debt in history and has failed to please the social conservative base by tackling issues such as abortion or gay marriage. In essence, there is not much to show, except for things such as cuts to the CBC and government science budgets. So change is coming, and we only know that it will be a close election regardless of the outcome. The Liberals, new leader on hand, are buoyed by polls that show them still in contention, but are promising things that most of us have heard from them that they failed to do in the past. For our part at the Downsview Advocate, we feel that real change would come in the form of an NDP government. Thomas Mulcair has shown that he is ready for the job on day one and would tackle economic issues without reducinginvestment in the things that are important to the community, such as employment, pensions for seniors and childcare. After 10 years of Conservative government, we need real change. 

Dufferin Finch BIA – New Growth Is Coming to the Area

 The Dufferin Finch Business Improvement Area represents the area bounded by Sheppard Avenue, Keele Street, Steeles Ave and Dufferin Street. It is a remarkable organization with 2,500 businesses employing over 32,000 people. The BIA has been in operation since May 2014 and is already having a strong positive impact. It is well on the way to improving the lives of those who make a living here as well as the lives of the residential neighbourhoods to its east and west.The importance of this area has not been obvious in the past. Successful businesses worked individually and the advantages of working together were not exploited. This has all changed thanks to the visionary leadership of the local City of Toronto Councillor, Anthony Perruzza and the members of the Dufferin Finch BIA Board of Directors.The Dufferin Finch BIA provides practically everything needed to carry on life. Here you can find ergonomically and attractive workplace furniture at Teknion, a wide array of medical and recreational facilities at the Champagne Centre, nutritious foods through retail outlets and wholesalers such as Fiera Foods, lawyers, building contractors, real estate brokers, packaging companies such as Luv2Pak‎, fuels, cars, clothing and almost anything else you can think of.The Dufferin Finch BIA's importance has always been facilitated by a well-developed and easily accessible system of local roads, arterial roads and highways (Allen Road, Hwy 400, and Hwy 401).All three orders of government have provided basic public transit and soon we will see significant improvements through the Finch West LRT with its Keele Street terminus and the new GO Station close to the Chesswood and Sheppard intersection, provided by Metrolinx. The TTC's University-Spadina Subway Extension to York University will greatly improve speeds and comfort for riders as well. Importantly, these new connections will transform the area into a hub for commuters and will attract new investment into the area.There is much going on within the Dufferin Finch BIA area and its surroundings. It is well worth taking notice and appreciating.For more information: http://dufferinfinchbia.ca/index.htmlEditor: Joe Pantalone

Voting Requirements

The federal election is fast approaching and with only three weeks left we urge you to check if you are registered to vote. The Conservative's Voter Suppression Bill will make it hard for Canadians to vote in this election. You can use the Online Voter Registration Service to:·check if you're registeredto vote·update the address onyour voter registration, or·register to voteIn some cases you may be asked to provide a driver's license number or I.D card.Editor: Maria Solis