The 2025 Canadian Federal Election: Trends, Observations, amd Reasons

[Jason]

A little late now, but still funny.

[buster]

Good arguments Jason. But I'm not sure the whole problem for the NDP has been a lack of proportional representation. Historically the NDP has got a lot done in Canada without holding office or having huge numbers of seats.

Sometimes people choose a party not because of policies exactly, but because of the image portrayed by the leader. Image counts, and Canadians are no different than other nations with unconscious biases. If the NDP had been led in this election by Tommy Douglas or Jack Layton, rather than Jagmeet Singh, I think election day would have gone very differently. Also I think the Conservatives didn't quite make it because of their attack dog leader. He didn't seem to be a statesman.

A note of interest: Marilyn and I met and chatted with Timmy Douglas during intermission at a play in Ottawa. He had come to see his actress daughter perform. It was something to shake hands with such a great Canadian.

And an example of proportional representation that you and I would both agree is too extreme takes place in Israel. No one votes for a person. You only vote for a party, and the party supplies the party members. Governments seldom go full term without an election, and no party has ever had a majority. Too extreme.

[Jason]

If the NDP had been led in this election by Tommy Douglas or Jack Layton, rather than Jagmeet Singh, I think election day would have gone very differently.

The NDP may have won more seats, but it's hard to argue that strategic voting didn't have a heavy hand in this election's outcome.

A note of interest: Marilyn and I met and chatted with Timmy Douglas during intermission at a play in Ottawa. He had come to see his actress daughter perform. It was something to shake hands with such a great Canadian.

I'm jealous. I would have loved to have met him, although it may have been before my time.

And an example of proportional representation that you and I would both agree is too extreme takes place in Israel. No one votes for a person. You only vote for a party, and the party supplies the party members. Governments seldom go full term without an election, and no party has ever had a majority. Too extreme.

Absolutely. That form of it shouldn't be used anywhere, but especially there. Everything is too partisan. Their situation plays a huge role there. I don't know if any party would have a majority there even under FPTP.