[kEiThZ]

Just FYI on the issue:

http://www.parl.gc.ca/marleaumontpetit/DocumentViewer.aspx?Sec=Ch04&Seq=2&Language=E

 

[King of Kensington]

That's why NDP policies are only good for a niche population, and never for the general public.

Different parties represent different interests and have different voting bases, this is nothing new. The NDP's big constituencies include non-religious voters, people with low incomes, trade unionists, visible minorities, Quebecers, younger voters, women, etc. The Conservatives include churchgoers, older voters, business, the wealthy, Prairie dwellers, men, etc.

(The Liberals - the party that succeeded for years as trying to be all things for all people - can no longer claim any constituency...)

 

[jeff316]

The government just establishes population guidelines and Elections Canada draws the riding lines. This makes it impossible for the Conservatives to gerrymander, as you are implying.

Actually, the boundaries are drawn up by mini commissions that are independent of Elections Canada. They are usually run by a judge from that province and two citizens from that province, I think appointed by the Speaker (IIRC). Their recommendations go to a parliamentary committee which then sends back objections and then the commission makes their decision, independent of Elections Canada.

There's definitely some ... ... 'wiggle room'

 

[SimonP]

We have a lot less gerrymandering than the States, but the process is still open to political influence. Incumbent MPs do a great deal of lobbying to try to get their ideal districts. With how centralized the Harper Conservatives are, there is a lot of worry that they will go further than other governments have in the past with redrawing the map.

As to the Quebec issue, it really depends on your perspective. You're only comparing Quebec to Ontario, Alberta, and BC. Compared to the other six provinces Quebec is grossly underrepresented, and will become more so under the proposed changes.

Also Quebec is growing again. Over the last few years its population has growth at the same rate as Ontario's, and its economy has done better. So don't expect population growth to necessarily tip the balance.

 

[adma]

The NDP will not lose the rest of the seats across the country unless they do something incredibly stupid. The party rebuilt itself after '93 with popular local candidates that had to fight their way through local elections, often in areas where the NDP had little to no support historically: Alexa McDonough in Halifax, Yvon Godin in Acadie-Bathurst, Thomas Mulcair in Outremont, Ed Broadbent in Ottawa Centre, Jack Harris in St. John's East, etc.

Re Ottawa Centre: it went NDP in 1984 (and the party has a provincial history there, too)

 

[kEiThZ]

You're only comparing Quebec to Ontario, Alberta, and BC. Compared to the other six provinces Quebec is grossly underrepresented, and will become more so under the proposed changes.

Oh please. If that's the argument then every province is under-represented when compared to PEI. The Maritimes, Saskatchewan and Manitoba may be over-represented, but all the seats of those 6 provinces + the 3 territories, are still less than the number of seats in Quebec. That's why we are debating this.

Also Quebec is growing again. Over the last few years its population has growth at the same rate as Ontario's, and its economy has done better. So don't expect population growth to necessarily tip the balance.

I know they are growing. But as per my understanding, still not as much as Ontario. Can you provide a source? As for the economy, I don't see how that's relevant. Seats are allotted according to population.