November 2025
I’m continually amazed at the logic of some of the readers of The Hamilton Spectator. In his Letter to the Editor (“This is why we need electoral reform,” 11 November), Chris Cardey disparages our first-past-the-post system of government, claiming that Doug Ford’s government has a “false majority,” and this is why we need electoral reform. Umm, okay, would this be the same electoral reform that former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was championing when running for election in 2015, and then abandoned after being elected? Is that the electoral reform he is taking about? Now, why did Trudeau abandon his reforms? Obviously I can’t say for sure, but it’s likely due to the fact that he realized that the current system was more beneficial to him than other systems, like proportional representation.
Did Mr. Cardey object to Dalton McGinty and Kathleen Wynne’s “false majorities” when they were in government? How about Prime Ministers Justin Trudeau, Pierre Trudeau and Jean Chrétien? I bet he also thought that Stephen Harper was an illegitimate Prime Minister, as he received only 39.62% of the vote in 2011. Just to refresh everyone’s memory, Jean Chretien’s Liberals won majorities in 1997 with 38.46% and in 2000 with 40.85% respectively. Bob Rae won a majority government in Ontario in 1990 with 37.6%.
I hate to break it to him, but any electoral reforms that he would like to see to limit the power of the current government will also affect all other future governments, including a future Liberal government. Remember, it was the Republican Party that championed the two-term maximum for American Presidents, as a result of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s unprecedented election to a fourth consecutive term. If not for the 22nd Amendment, President Donald Trump could indeed run for a third term. Careful what you wish for, Mr. Cardey.
By the way, I’ve actually read the 22nd Amendment and it’s VERY clear in its prohibition of a third term for him or any other future president, despite what Trump believes. Good luck getting the consensus to change it.
Sources: Twenty-second Amendment to the United States Constitution – Wikipedia.
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The original letter that prompted my letter:
Re: Premier Ford eliminates fixed elections — a move that only benefits one group in Ontario, Nov.10
Greg Sorbara’s commentary concerning Premier Doug Ford wanting to “repeal the electoral reforms that the McGuinty government enacted 22 years ago” demonstrates why we need true electoral reform. The “first past the post” system of government we have in Canada, both at the provincial and federal levels, demonstrates why “false” majorities that the Tories have in Ontario need to end. Given his “false” majority in the provincial legislature, he can pass this legislation. Proportional representation as used in many countries, while not a panacea, would help move our electoral system to one that is truly representative for the people of Ontario. In this system, Premier Ford would need agreement among parties to make the changes he wants to make and would challenge the “ … divine right of premiers to call elections” as Ambassador Bob Rae has said, according to Sobera.
Chris Cardey, Hamilton
