Sir,
You won't remember me, but we met on two occasions during my teen years: once in Owen Sound and once in Ottawa. I'm 26 years old, self-employed, and working once again in Grey and Bruce counties in Ontario.
My vote -- like the vote of many of my peers -- has never counted. Although I've cast a ballot at every opportunity, I have never sent an elected official to Ottawa. I cast a Liberal ballot in 2015 based primarily on your promise of electoral reform. I was tired of not having a voice and I trusted that you would work to ensure that the votes of all Canadians were represented in the House of Commons.
I was subsequently disappointed by the poor design of the mydemocracy survey, and both angered and saddened by your recent policy reversal. Now more than ever, we can see the effect of exclusive and oppressive systems. Continuing with an electoral system that clearly fails to give voice to so many Canadians' interests and opinions is negligent. Once we become aware of a problem -- any problem -- it is our responsibility to work to fix it. I am sad to see that you have chosen not to display the accountability to address this shortfall in our democratic system.
I urge you to find the courage necessary to address the pressing and difficult issue of electoral reform by moving it forward through public dialogue, education, and subsequent legislation. If diversity is indeed our strength as a nation, then that diversity must be reflected in the halls of our institutions. You are in a position to reform the first past the post system and move us in that direction. To be clear, I am advocating for a model of proportional representation as recommended by the Electoral Reform Commission.
I invite your reply.
