Ontario to get 21 more seats in Commons: McGuinty

[Smallc]

A lengthy and often bitter fight between Ontario and the federal government was quietly resolved last week when Prime Minister Stephen Harper agreed to give the province 21 additional seats in the House of Commons, Premier Dalton McGuinty said Wednesday.

That's 11 more new Commons seats than the Conservatives initially said Ontario would get under a redistribution plan announced last year to reflect growing populations in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.

CBC

I think it's only fair.

[Canadian Blue]

This is just another example of how that rabid and sociopathic Stephen Harper is attempting to take power by destroying the Liberals. 21 seats for Ontario, the death penalty tommorrow. He's alot like Dexter Morgan.... and Adolf Hitler's dog.

Edited December 17, 2008 by Canadian Blue

[Smallc]

Well, I like what he's doing, but I don't like that it took him winning more Ontario seats to get it done.

[Canadian Blue]

I generally agree with you. But I wish we had a mechanism in place where if a province were to lose a certain percentage of it's population it would also lose the equivalent number of seats. So if Quebec loses 100,000 people and Alberta gains 100,000, then Alberta would gain one seat from Quebec.

[Oleg Bach]

This is just another example of how that rabid sociopathic Stephen Harper is attempting to take power by destroying the Liberals. 21 seats for Ontario, the death penalty tommorrow.

Dear Little Stevie perhaps is not adjusting to power as well as was expected. There could be a lack of spiritual and intellecutal developement and personal evolution in this man. Power is contractual - real power is to grant power and power is granted back...He may never get this concept...most won't. As for the death penalty - most people who want it are those who secretly in their hearts are capable of murder...you think the Prime Minister has murderous intent? As Kissinger said...power is the ultimate aphrodesiac...which was always to me a worry some statement. Don't forget the guys that fully support and installed Harper can be a bit brutal. Big buisness types can be ruthless..that's how they got to their lofty positions.

[Smallc]

I generally agree with you. But I wish we had a mechanism in place where if a province were to lose a certain percentage of it's population it would also lose the equivalent number of seats. So if Quebec loses 100,000 people and Alberta gains 100,000, then Alberta would gain one seat from Quebec.

I agree completely. I don't like that provinces have lower limits in place. For every 100 000 people there should be one seat. To give a little bit to smaller provinces, it could even be rounded up. After every second or third election, the map could be redrawn. I would gladly give up one or two of my provinces seats in the name of fairness.

[Oleg Bach]

If they were interested in fairness then like you they would look at and evalutate the numbers - not all are as diligent as you. Equality is not something that fits into the competative game that is politics. The great failing as I mentioned before and what taints all systems is power for powers sake...with little regard on what the power is for. Ambition is their master. When it should be us the people that master over them...sure would be nice if another type of human being was inclined to take office - someone with some grace perhaps.

[blueblood]

I agree completely. I don't like that provinces have lower limits in place. For every 100 000 people there should be one seat. To give a little bit to smaller provinces, it could even be rounded up. After every second or third election, the map could be redrawn. I would gladly give up one or two of my provinces seats in the name of fairness.

I'd be interested to see where these seats are going to be located in Ontario. Also, how many seats are going to AB and BC, and where are those seats going to be located. This looks like a shot at Quebec, and another play to ensure that at least a federalist party has a better chance at a majority gov't. I don't think we'll see the Liberals complaining too much about this.

[Canadian Blue]

I agree completely. I don't like that provinces have lower limits in place. For every 100 000 people there should be one seat. To give a little bit to smaller provinces, it could even be rounded up. After every second or third election, the map could be redrawn. I would gladly give up one or two of my provinces seats in the name of fairness.

My biggest concern in the end is the extra costs that come about due to additional MP's. The salary of each MP is approximately $130,000 each, add on all the benefits and pension and I'm certain you get a far larger number. If we were to keep on going the same route that we are now how much money will we be losing just for the sake of the government in power not having to deal with any PR issues if PEI or Quebec lost seats. I'd actually all be for reducing the amount of MP's in the HoC to a static number of 300.

[blueblood]

I agree completely. I don't like that provinces have lower limits in place. For every 100 000 people there should be one seat. To give a little bit to smaller provinces, it could even be rounded up. After every second or third election, the map could be redrawn. I would gladly give up one or two of my provinces seats in the name of fairness.

Net immigration shoots that plan to hell.

[Smallc]

Net immigration shoots that plan to hell.

?

[Smallc]

I'd actually all be for reducing the amount of MP's in the HoC to a static number of 300.

Well, other countries have far more reps. After we reach 500 we may have to change the number per member, but if your number of people per member gets too high, your representatives start to lose touch with the people.

[Canadian Blue]

Well, other countries have far more reps. After we reach 500 we may have to change the number per member, but if your number of people per member gets too high, your representatives start to lose touch with the people.

Generally speaking most members have already lost touch with their people. When most people go to vote in an election the most important factor isn't the name on the ballot, but instead the party they represent.

[Smallc]

Generally speaking most members have already lost touch with their people. When most people go to vote in an election the most important factor isn't the name on the ballot, but instead the party they represent.

That's not what I'm talking about. Right now, you can walk into any MPs office and get something done pretty quickly. If you have a situation where there are say, 1M people per representative, that becomes far more difficult and you become more just a number.

[blueblood]

?

Canada's population is growing, and adding seats to the HOC is reflecting that growth. Simply redistributing the seats isn't going to keep the seat/constituent ratio in check.

[Smallc]

Canada's population is growing, and adding seats to the HOC is reflecting that growth. Simply redistributing the seats isn't going to keep the seat/constituent ratio in check.

I know, that's why seats should be added to Alberta, BC, and Ontario. Seats should be taken away from places like PEI, N & L, and Saskatchewan. But yes, I'm in favour of adding more seats...up to some kind of ceiling.

Edited December 17, 2008 by Smallc

[Smallc]

Also, how many seats are going to AB and BC,

I think Alberta is getting 5 and BC 7.

[Mr.Canada]

I think Alberta is getting 5 and BC 7.

At least 20 more Tory seats out of 33, not bad.

[Smallc]

At least 20 more Tory seats out of 33, not bad.

Maybe, maybe not.

[punked]

At least 20 more Tory seats out of 33, not bad.

You don't even know where they are going yet. Depends on how these new seats are gerrymandered.

[Mr.Canada]

You don't even know where they are going yet. Depends on how these new seats are gerrymandered.

Prob the 416 and many for the 905 as this region is expanding massively as people are making the flight from our cities to safer areas away from the dirty people of the city.

[Smallc]

Prob the 416 and many for the 905 as this region is expanding massively as people are making the flight from our cities to safer areas away from the dirty people of the city.

Yes, the evidence for such a migration is overwhelming.....

[Mr.Canada]

Yes, the evidence for such a migration is overwhelming.....

Thank you agreeing with me on this finally.

[punked]

I will guess Vancouver gets a majority of the BC seats because it is the one of the places in Canada. Ottawa is doing pretty good, T.O. and Calgary as well. Besides that I don;t know where the rest of the growth is happening.

[Canadian Blue]

I will guess Vancouver gets a majority of the BC seats because it is the one of the places in Canada. Ottawa is doing pretty good, T.O. and Calgary as well. Besides that I don;t know where the rest of the growth is happening.

Basically the entire corridor between Calgary and Edmonton has been growing quite abit. I know that my town has ballooned from around 5,000 people a decade ago to approximately 12,000 residents today.