McGuinty's push for more MPs

[Riverwind]

Past Newfoundland governments just didn't want to see a reduction of seats from the present number. If I recall the argument, they didn't want to seat declines like Manitoba and Saskatchewan had decades ago.

The don't want seat reductions because reducing the number of seats reduces the significance of Newfoundland on the federal scene. Increasing the number of MPs by 25% would have the same effect and you can bet Williams and the other Martime Premiers would cry foul.

I added a poll: http://www.mapleleafweb.com/forums//index....st&p=271734

Edited November 22, 2007 by Riverwind

[jdobbin]

The don't want seat reductions because reducing the number of seats reduces the significance of Newfoundland on the federal scene. Increasing the number of MPs by 25% would have the same effect and you can bet Williams and the other Martime Premiers would cry foul.

Fortunately, Newfoundland can't hold up an increase in seats because it doesn't violate any of the three constitutional clauses.

Newfoundlanders wouldn't accept this in their own backyard if Labrador had several seats and St. John's had only a few. If they have fears about regional representation, it is an affair for the Senate not for the House of Commons.

I see absolutely no evidence that Canadians would be against proportional representation.

[Leafless]

I would go with 110 MPs, go to bench seating and give the actual reasons for the increase which would be for fairness in representation.

Absolutely!

Can anyone explain how and when the Quebec standard ( one MP for every 105,000 Canadians living in Quebec came from), a standard B.C. and Alberta adhere to or are allowed to so.

"What we're talking about here is achieving the Quebec standard," McGuinty said yesterday. "Canadians living in Quebec are entitled to one MP for every 105,000 Canadians found within that province; B.C.'s now going to grow to that standard; Alberta's now going to grow to that standard.

Ontario is entitled to 21 more seats but will get only 10 under the proposed legislation.

"But Ontario will be left with an injustice; we'll only be entitled to one MP for every 115,000 Ontarians," he said.

http://ottsun.canoe.ca/News/National/2007/...675440-sun.html

You think Canadians would rather go with unfair representation well past the lifetimes of many?

NO.

Edited November 22, 2007 by Leafless