Submitted by Melody Land, Part Time Coordinator, Connecting Albert County
This is an excerpt from our podcast sub-series, Connecting Albert County In Conversation. For the next few episodes we will be showcasing the talents of local Albert County writers from a variety of genres. Search for, then follow, Connecting Albert County: The Audio Edit, on Spotify, Amazon, or Apple podcasts, or your prefer streaming platform. You can also find them on our website at connectingalbertcounty.org.
This is an excerpt from our podcast sub-series, Connecting Albert County In Conversation. For the next few episodes we will be showcasing the talents of local Albert County writers from a variety of genres. Search for, then follow, Connecting Albert County: The Audio Edit, on Spotify, Amazon, or Apple podcasts, or your prefer streaming platform. You can also find them on our website at connectingalbertcounty.org.
Albert County is known to be home to many things: some of the most beautiful, dramatic landscapes in the world, a sanctuary for wildlife, agriculture, tourism, food, community, and bumpy roads are just the highlights of our claim to fame. What you may not realize is that it is also home to many creative people, specifically a thriving literary community. In our region, professional writers reside who explore everything from fiction, fantasy, and history to politics and current events. One of those local writers is James Wilson, whose recently published book takes a close look at Canada's electoral system.
I spoke with James for Connecting Albert County in Conversation about his book, "Single-Member Proportional Vote", an idea that has been nearly a decade in the making.
I spoke with James for Connecting Albert County in Conversation about his book, "Single-Member Proportional Vote", an idea that has been nearly a decade in the making.
James grew up on the Albert Mines Road at the Wilson Homestead and has lived in Albert County all his life. He studied political science at Mount Allison University, but his interest in voting systems actually began much earlier. As a teenager, he played video games that included different types of voting systems, where some votes could carry more weight than others.
Years later, while working as a night auditor in Alberta, James began thinking more seriously about electoral reform. Around 2014, he started considering whether Canada's existing first-past-the-post system could be changed without completely replacing it.
When the federal government created an electoral reform committee in 2016, James submitted his proposal and was invited to present it in Fredericton. Although the committee ultimately did not lead to changes to Canada's electoral system, James continued working on his idea. After several years of research, conversations and notes sitting on his computer, he began pulling everything together more seriously around 2021.
So, what exactly is a “single-member proportional vote”?
In simple terms, James describes his proposal as an upgrade to Canada's current first-past-the-post system. Voters would still vote for one candidate, and the candidate receiving the most votes in each riding would still win. The change would happen inside Parliament.
Instead of every MP having exactly one vote, the strength of an MP's vote would be connected to the percentage of the popular vote received by their political party.
“Everyone still, like on election day, goes and votes for a single candidate,” James explained. “Ballot paper stays the same. Whoever gets the most votes in that riding is the one who wins.”
James believes one potential benefit would be giving voters more influence even when the candidate or party they support does not win their local riding.
That is something he feels could be particularly relevant in Albert County. While the riding has traditionally had strong Conservative support, local residents also support the Green, NDP and Liberal parties.
“If you want to vote for one of those parties, your vote isn't wasted because you are still making the vote of those parties stronger,” James said.
James has spent years researching his proposal and reaching out to political science professors across Canada for feedback. Some found the idea interesting, while others questioned whether it would work. His research also led him to examples of weighted voting systems being used elsewhere.
For James, one of the appealing aspects of his proposal is that he sees it as a potential middle ground between supporters of first-past-the-post and those who favour proportional representation.
“It's everyone's second choice,” he said. “Well, that's the making of a good compromise, right there.”
James has also continued advocating for the idea. He said the best way for people who support electoral reform to make their voices heard is to contact their elected representatives and share their views. He has also met with federal MPs to discuss his proposal.
Copies of "Single-Member Proportional Vote" are available. Contact James directly, or CAC, to get in touch.
Years later, while working as a night auditor in Alberta, James began thinking more seriously about electoral reform. Around 2014, he started considering whether Canada's existing first-past-the-post system could be changed without completely replacing it.
When the federal government created an electoral reform committee in 2016, James submitted his proposal and was invited to present it in Fredericton. Although the committee ultimately did not lead to changes to Canada's electoral system, James continued working on his idea. After several years of research, conversations and notes sitting on his computer, he began pulling everything together more seriously around 2021.
So, what exactly is a “single-member proportional vote”?
In simple terms, James describes his proposal as an upgrade to Canada's current first-past-the-post system. Voters would still vote for one candidate, and the candidate receiving the most votes in each riding would still win. The change would happen inside Parliament.
Instead of every MP having exactly one vote, the strength of an MP's vote would be connected to the percentage of the popular vote received by their political party.
“Everyone still, like on election day, goes and votes for a single candidate,” James explained. “Ballot paper stays the same. Whoever gets the most votes in that riding is the one who wins.”
James believes one potential benefit would be giving voters more influence even when the candidate or party they support does not win their local riding.
That is something he feels could be particularly relevant in Albert County. While the riding has traditionally had strong Conservative support, local residents also support the Green, NDP and Liberal parties.
“If you want to vote for one of those parties, your vote isn't wasted because you are still making the vote of those parties stronger,” James said.
James has spent years researching his proposal and reaching out to political science professors across Canada for feedback. Some found the idea interesting, while others questioned whether it would work. His research also led him to examples of weighted voting systems being used elsewhere.
For James, one of the appealing aspects of his proposal is that he sees it as a potential middle ground between supporters of first-past-the-post and those who favour proportional representation.
“It's everyone's second choice,” he said. “Well, that's the making of a good compromise, right there.”
James has also continued advocating for the idea. He said the best way for people who support electoral reform to make their voices heard is to contact their elected representatives and share their views. He has also met with federal MPs to discuss his proposal.
Copies of "Single-Member Proportional Vote" are available. Contact James directly, or CAC, to get in touch.
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