[IPSM] Top Secret -- dates for Ontario revolution

[A Blair]

TOP SECRET!

Key dates for Ontario 's democratic revolution:
January 31, May 15 and October 4.


Do not – repeat, do NOT – let this information get into the
wrong hands. Forward only to trusted friends.


An Open Letter to Fellow Ontarians:

Is the idea of fundamental democratic reform so frightening that Ontario 's
major media are afraid to cover the Ontario Citizens' Assembly on Electoral
Reform?

Your guess is as good as ours, but the headline above summarizes their
apparent attitude. The unfortunate result is that most Ontarians remain
unaware of an unprecedented and historic opportunity to dramatically reform
Ontario 's political system.

What's the Big Deal With the Citizens' Assembly?

The Ontario Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform, composed of 103 randomly
chosen voters, has been empowered by the Government of Ontario to study and
recommend a new provincial voting system. Their recommendation will be put
to Ontarians in a referendum to be held next fall.

What's At Stake?

Political power. The future direction of our province. Legislation on issues
like health care, education, the environment.

The voting system matters. It matters a lot, because the voting system
allocates political power, creates parliaments and determines who forms
governments. That in turn determines who calls the shots on issues that
affect our families, our communities, our society and the environment.

How Bad is the Current System?

It's intolerable. Ontarians (and all Canadians) suffer the effects of using
the world's worst electoral system – first-past-the post.

Typically, a party gets about 40 percent of the votes, wins 60 percent or
more of the seats and then wields 100 percent of the power, as though it had
a majority mandate. Meanwhile opposition voices are diminished and other
minority voices are completely shut out of the political process.

In each election, millions of Ontarians cast wasted votes that elect no one.
Results are so distorted the last time we elected a legitimate majority
government – one actually put in place by a majority of votes cast – was in
1937.

Are There Better Ways to Vote?

Yes. Almost all major Western democracies scrapped first-past-the-post
voting last century, and adopted voting systems designed to treat all voters
equally and give fair and proportional election results.

More than 80 democracies now use these fair voting systems. Each has
developed a version to fit its own distinctive political culture and
geography. Ontario can do likewise.

What Are the Key Dates for Our Democracy Revolution?

The Ontario Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform will issue its final
report by May 15. If the Assembly recommends a new voting system, Ontario
will have a referendum on that recommendation on October 4 in conjunction
with the next provincial election.

The Citizens' Assembly members have invited Ontarians to tell them what
electoral values and principles matter most to you and/or what type of
voting system you would like to have. Between now and January 31, citizens
can make their views known through online submissions or by attending and
speaking at one of the Assembly's public consultation meetings.

What Can You Do To Make It Happen?

Fair Vote Canada , through our Fair Vote Ontario campaign, is leading the
fight to encourage the Ontario Citizens' Assembly to recommend a fair voting
system based on proportional representation. When the Assembly does, we will
then lead the Yes campaign for the October 4, 2007 referendum.

Here is what you can do between now and January 31:

1)    Most important: forward this email to friends and other email lists!

2)     Check the Assembly's website www.citizensassembly.gov.on.ca. Review
their public consultation guide.

3)     If the Assembly is holding a public meeting in your community, plan
to attend, take your friends, and speak up.

4)     If you cannot attend a meeting, submit your comments on the
Assembly's web site, encouraging Assembly members to scrap
first-past-the-post and recommend a new, fair voting system.

5)     Visit the Fair Vote Canada www.fairvote.ca and Fair Vote Ontario
www.fairvote.ca/ontario website. Learn more about the issues and our
campaign.

6)     Volunteer to help the Fair Vote Ontario campaign and help win the
October 4 referendum: Ontario at fairvote.ca

Democratic reform is a do-it-yourself project for citizens. We cannot depend
on the media or those in positions of power to lead the democracy
revolution. It's up to us! Let's do it!


Yours for a strong democracy,


Larry Gordon
Executive Director
Fair Vote Canada


26 Maryland Blvd.
Toronto, ON  M4C 5C9

www.fairvote.ca
info at fairvote.ca
Ph: 416-410-4034
Fax: 416-686-4929
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