Thread by @PaulStewartII

Canada has no "national popular vote". It's an American idea for their flawed presidential election process. We don't directly elect our PM. Here the PM is the leader of the party with the most seats. A thread to explain. 1/
#MediaWatch #Elxn44 #Cdnpoli #Onpoli #Topoli #Toronto

https://twitter.com/PMLaurier/status/1441013085079224321

American presidents are elected via archaic Electoral College system. Complicated but it basically gives states voting rights, not people. Last few GOP presidents won office but lost based on how many voted directly for them - the "popular" vote. Not relevant to our system. 2/

The other American scheme that is critical to know when weaponizing the "popular" vote, is America has a political duopoly, just two parties from inception. In this election Canada had 4 significant parties (LPC/CPC/NDP/BQ) and 2 lesser ones (Greens/PPC). So in America, 3/

with just two choices and with President receiving direct or "popular" votes, and an EC vote. When the one with the fewest direct votes takes office it is a glaring flaw. In Canada, whoever has the most votes in each riding represents the people there - rightly. 4/

Whichever party leaders' candidates win the most seats has the most representatives of the people in the House of Commons. So naturally becomes Prime Minister. It is traditional the PM also be elected to a seat in the House of course. This is fitting and different from the US. 5/

Also, at a riding level, as mentioned, the popular vote wins. Period. And there are multiple competing parties with candidates, usually at least 3 contenders, and often 5 or 6. And three or more are serious ones. That means the popular vote in each riding is quite likely to be 6/

different from national popular vote. In part because every riding has different numbers of candidates competing and different regions have different parties that are most competitive. The CPC and Bloc are both regional. CPC has lost national appeal and Bloc does not want it. 7/

The NDP is competitive in only certain ridings and some parties this election have lost their appeal - like the PPC, a radical right wing party broken off the CPC and the Green Party, which lost appeal partly because what it promotes is now mainstream. 8/

To recap, popular vote is an American idea born in a flawed republic, exacerbated by political duopoly in a corrupt and Gerrymandered setting. Where a leader is directly elected in an "unpopular" way. It has no basis in Canada. No relevance. We have the best democracy ever. 9/

So that's how our democracy works. And you can be sure that our PM is Justin Trudeau at the command of the Canadian people; leading on their behalf, each and every one. Elected via due process in a messy democratic process. Dissenters need to get in line or get out. 🤷‍♂️

To head you off. Proportional representation feeds political idealism; kills realism. Result is endless arguing, theory and gridlock. It has no executive function nor operational responsibility. Unworkable and a recipe for social and economic stagnation, frustration and anger.

The issue for Canadians is not its form of government or the "popular vote" fairy. It's corruption - of money and minds. It's the propaganda, gaslighting and incitement to violence. These must now be firmly addressed. Else we go the American way. #Elxn44 #Cdnpoli #Onpoli #Topoli

Here is the results count for the 2021 election.
newsinteractives.cbc.ca/elections/fede…