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Old 05-18-2005, 05:43 PM   #6
octothorp
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The value in a proportional system of representation is that it reduces regionalism. Calgary is a great example--there is absolutely no benefit for the federal Liberals to put money into Calgary, because it's hard to imagine that investment ever resulting in seats. Winning a twenty thousand votes in Toronto is more valuable than winning double that in Calgary, because those twenty thousand votes may result in the Liberals winning two or three more seats. But under a PR system, a vote in Calgary is as valuable as a vote in Toronto, and not only does it become beneficial for a government to give money to areas where they have little support, it becomes suicidal for a government to abandon involvement in any one area. There is no place for a regional party in a PR system--it would probably be the death of the Bloc.

Best of all, voter turn-out should go up dramatically with a PR system. It doesn't matter if your local riding is overwhelmingly PC or Liberal, your vote will still count as much as if you were in the tightest riding in the country.
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