Canada is the second largest land mass on earth. It has 4.5 time zones. A country that size is almost impossible to govern under our current electoral laws. It is a country of regions and those regions differ in many ways. The Maritimes have a different feel than the west. Ontario is different than Quebec. The west is unique in its own special way.
In 1867, our nation was founded on four provinces: Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Manitoba joined in 1870, BC in 1871, PEI in 1873, Newfoundland in 1949. The regions are as follows: Atlantic Canada or the Maritimes: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland; Central Canada: Ontario and Quebec; and the West: Manitoba, Saskatchewan; Alberta and British Columbia. There are two western territories: Yukon and The Northwest; and one Eastern Territory: Nunavut. For this discussion we lump Quebec and Nunavut with Eastern Canada; Ontario stands alone; and Yukon and The Northwest Territory with the west.
Ottawa became the nation’s capital city. That made sense in 1858 because it was central to the United Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec and later, in 1867, for the confederation of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. It does not make sense in today’s regional map of Canada.
Population in Canada at the last census (2021) = 37 million people.
| Name | 2021 census | Growth (2016–2021) |
Land area (km2) |
Density per (km2) |
House[2] | Senate | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pop. | % | Seats | % | Seats | % | |||||
| 1 | Ontario | 14,223,942 | 38.45% | 5.8% | 908,699.33 | 15.2 | 122 | 35.6% | 24 | 22.9% |
| 2 | Quebec | 8,501,833 | 22.98% | 4.1% | 1,356,625.27 | 6.5 | 78 | 22.7% | 24 | 22.9% |
| 3 | British Columbia | 5,000,879 | 13.52% | 7.6% | 922,503.01 | 5.4 | 43 | 12.5% | 6 | 5.7% |
| 4 | Alberta | 4,262,635 | 11.52% | 4.8% | 640,330.46 | 6.7 | 37 | 10.8% | 6 | 5.7% |
| 5 | Manitoba | 1,342,153 | 3.63% | 5.0% | 552,370.99 | 2.3 | 14 | 4.1% | 6 | 5.7% |
| 6 | Saskatchewan | 1,132,505 | 3.06% | 3.1% | 588,243.54 | 2.0 | 14 | 4.1% | 6 | 5.7% |
| 7 | Nova Scotia | 969,383 | 2.62% | 5.0% | 52,942.27 | 18.4 | 11 | 3.2% | 10 | 9.5% |
| 8 | New Brunswick | 775,610 | 2.09% | 3.8% | 71,388.81 | 10.9 | 10 | 2.9% | 10 | 9.5% |
| 9 | Newfoundland and Labrador | 510,550 | 1.38% | −1.8% | 370,514.08 | 1.4 | 7 | 2.0% | 6 | 5.7% |
| 10 | Prince Edward Island | 154,331 | 0.42% | 8.0% | 5,686.03 | 27.2 | 4 | 1.2% | 4 | 3.8% |
| 11 | Northwest Territories | 41,070 | 0.11% | −1.7% | 1,143,793.86 | 0.04 | 1 | 0.3% | 1 | 0.95% |
| 12 | Yukon | 40,232 | 0.11% | 12.1% | 474,712.68 | 0.08 | 1 | 0.3% | 1 | 0.95% |
| 13 | Nunavut | 36,858 | 0.10% | 2.5% | 1,877,778.53 | 0.02 | 1 | 0.3% | 1 | 0.95% |
| Total | Canada | 36,991,981 | 100% | 5.2% | 8,965,588.85 | 4.2 | 343 | 100% | 105 | 100% |
Divide Canada into 3 regions: West, Central and East
The vote and seat count would be based on population. Total seats in today’s Parliament equals 343.
West – Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia: 11,822, 474 (+ NWT and Yukon). Rounding up 12 / 37 x 343 = 111 seats
Central – Ontario: 14,223,191 equates to 14 / 37 x 343 = 133 seats
Eastern – Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI and NFLD: 10,948,565 (+ Nunavut) equates to 102 seats. Rounding up 11 / 37 x 343 = 101 seats.
Yukon and NWT would go to the west while Nunavut would go to the East.
Split seats across the regions: 343 / 3 = 114 seats
In each region parties would receive a percentage of the Federal parliamentary seats based upon the number of seats won in the region, but based upon the percentage won of the popular vote. For example if the greens won 8 % of the popular vote in the Western region they would earn 8% of the western regional seats in Parliament. If the PCP won 50% of the popular vote in the Central region they would receive 50% of the Central seats federally. If the Bloc won 22% of the popular vote in the Eastern region then they would receive 22% of the Eastern regional seats at the Federal level.
Simple and fair. No more first past the post dictatorships in this country. The interests of each region of Canada would be well represented in Canada’s Parliament. No longer could Central Canada ignore the west or vice versa. No longer could the Prime Minister’s governing party punish a region or a district because of differing electoral outcomes. Coalitions would probably have to be established for governance. That is a good thing and entirely democratic. MPs would be forced to work together for the common good of the entire country – while also addressing and upholding the varied interests of their respective regions. Compromise would be the established order of the day
Provincial autonomy could still be maintained however it would make better sense, with clarity and fairness at the core, if each region set up its own governance system regionally rather than Province wide as it exists today. Regional seats could be allocated based upon the number of seats assigned at the Federal level. Inter provincial trade barriers and other irritants that bar prosperity at the regional level would disappear immediately.
For what its worth
Just saying.
I yearn for a Canada pre Pearson and especially pre Pierre Elliot Trudeau. Trudeau One commenced the destruction of Canada, Justin Trudeau, Trudeau Two, and the Carney Liberals have / will complete the destruction.
My flag:
My National Anthem
Yummy
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“Drat”
