In the November 26, 2011 issue of the The Economist there is very good article about Bill C-20.
http://www.economist.com/node/21540314
Wednesday 30 November 2011
Monday 28 November 2011
QUESTION MORE: Fair Representation Act - Bill C-20
Representation in the House of Commons is readjusted after each decennial (10-year) census in accordance with the Constitution Act 1867 and the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act.
Even though Statistics Canada will publish counts from the 2011 census of population on February 8, 2012, the Conservative government has introduced legislation that creates a new formula based on existing population estimates that could expand the House of Commons from 308 to 338 seats. This legislation is the Fair Representation Act, Bill C-20.
The Bill C-20 amendments would change the allocation of seats between provinces and territories from the unadjusted population counts from the decennial census of population to using the Statistic Canada's population estimates program that produces annual and quarterly estimates of the population. This program uses the currently available estimates of provincial and territorial populations at July 1, 2011, which reflect results of the 2006 census adjusted for net undercoverage, augmented by births and immigration since the census date and reduced by deaths and emigration."
Using the new method, we could see Ontario get 15 seats, Alberta 6, B.C. 6, and Quebec 3.
After the 2001 Census, the number of seats only increased by 7 using the unadjusted population counts. Under the new changes, the number of seats could increase by 30.
Question More:
Why put forth legislation that uses estimates of the population based on 2006 numbers when in two months time the 2011 census counts will be available?
Why not amend legislation to use the unadjusted population counts from the census to every 5 years instead of 10?
Wouldn't using estimates allow for numbers to be interpreted in many different ways whereas the unadjusted census number is absolute?
With the global economy slowing, a possible recession in Europe, debt issues with the US, can Canada afford 30 more seats?
Is it the majority Conservative Government taking advantage of their power to use the estimates of population formula in order to create more seats in areas that would favor them being reelected in 2015?
Is the changes to legislation mean that the Conservatives are promoting "bigger government"?
What are your thoughts?
Bibliography
Elections Canada. "Elections Canada On-line - Élection Canada En-ligne."Elections Canada On-line - Élection Canada En-ligne. Elections Canada, Aug. 2004. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. <http://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=res&dir=cir/list&document=index&lang=e>.,
Canada. Government of Canada. House of Commons. Parliament of Canada Website. By Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs. Publishing and Depository Services Public Works and Government Services Canada, 17 Nov. 2011. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. <http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?DocId=5256072&Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=41&Ses=1.>
Canada. Government of Canada. Parliament of Canada. Parliament of Canada Web Site - Site Web Du Parlement Du Canada. By House of Commons. Publishing and Depository Services Public Works and Government Services Canada, 27 Oct. 2011. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. <http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Docid=5202547&file=4>.
DeSouza, Mike. "Tory Bill Adds 30 New MPs to House of Commons." National Post | Canadian News, Financial News and Opinion. Postmedia, 27 Oct. 2011. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. <http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/10/27/tory-bill-would-add-30-new-mps-to-house-of-commons/>.
Taber, Jane. "Tories Take over as Party of Big Government." The Globe and Mail. Phillip Crawley, 23 Nov. 2011. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. <http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/tories-take-over-as-party-of-big-government/article2245953/>.
Even though Statistics Canada will publish counts from the 2011 census of population on February 8, 2012, the Conservative government has introduced legislation that creates a new formula based on existing population estimates that could expand the House of Commons from 308 to 338 seats. This legislation is the Fair Representation Act, Bill C-20.
The Bill C-20 amendments would change the allocation of seats between provinces and territories from the unadjusted population counts from the decennial census of population to using the Statistic Canada's population estimates program that produces annual and quarterly estimates of the population. This program uses the currently available estimates of provincial and territorial populations at July 1, 2011, which reflect results of the 2006 census adjusted for net undercoverage, augmented by births and immigration since the census date and reduced by deaths and emigration."
Using the new method, we could see Ontario get 15 seats, Alberta 6, B.C. 6, and Quebec 3.
After the 2001 Census, the number of seats only increased by 7 using the unadjusted population counts. Under the new changes, the number of seats could increase by 30.
Question More:
Why put forth legislation that uses estimates of the population based on 2006 numbers when in two months time the 2011 census counts will be available?
Why not amend legislation to use the unadjusted population counts from the census to every 5 years instead of 10?
Wouldn't using estimates allow for numbers to be interpreted in many different ways whereas the unadjusted census number is absolute?
With the global economy slowing, a possible recession in Europe, debt issues with the US, can Canada afford 30 more seats?
Is it the majority Conservative Government taking advantage of their power to use the estimates of population formula in order to create more seats in areas that would favor them being reelected in 2015?
Is the changes to legislation mean that the Conservatives are promoting "bigger government"?
What are your thoughts?
Bibliography
Elections Canada. "Elections Canada On-line - Élection Canada En-ligne."Elections Canada On-line - Élection Canada En-ligne. Elections Canada, Aug. 2004. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. <http://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=res&dir=cir/list&document=index&lang=e>.,
Canada. Government of Canada. House of Commons. Parliament of Canada Website. By Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs. Publishing and Depository Services Public Works and Government Services Canada, 17 Nov. 2011. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. <http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?DocId=5256072&Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=41&Ses=1.>
Canada. Government of Canada. Parliament of Canada. Parliament of Canada Web Site - Site Web Du Parlement Du Canada. By House of Commons. Publishing and Depository Services Public Works and Government Services Canada, 27 Oct. 2011. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. <http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Docid=5202547&file=4>.
DeSouza, Mike. "Tory Bill Adds 30 New MPs to House of Commons." National Post | Canadian News, Financial News and Opinion. Postmedia, 27 Oct. 2011. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. <http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/10/27/tory-bill-would-add-30-new-mps-to-house-of-commons/>.
Taber, Jane. "Tories Take over as Party of Big Government." The Globe and Mail. Phillip Crawley, 23 Nov. 2011. Web. 28 Nov. 2011. <http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-notebook/tories-take-over-as-party-of-big-government/article2245953/>.
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