At first glance, I agree that hate speech is intolerable and having our government address it is commendable.
Yes, our basic Charter of Rights and Freedoms spells out our democratic right to free expression but due to our gerrymandering first past the post voting system imposed centuries ago, over 50 per cent of Canadian citizens today have no voice. Of the 90 Yukon communities listed, ask any voter if his vote counts or if his community voice is ever heard. No, our inverted triangle social structure leaves citizens out of reach of leadership, out of touch and at the mercy of party policy politics. Let everyone decide on policy.
Harms caused by our leadership are accepted due to our autocratic voting system and go far beyond “online hate speech”. Hate speech comes from lack of trust, anxiety and frustration created by the Canadian winner- take-all voting system. A kind, caring and gentle society that includes all parties at the leadership table in a proportional voting system would eventually increase trust, reduce anxiety and limit frustration.
Public motion after motion to the parliament and legislatures by non-partisan citizens to make their vote count using a proportional voting system has been thwarted over and over. When autocratic power is in place there is no will for change, there is rarely any way to voice your single opinion. We need the power of the people to make change now.
If Yukoners can’t answer the question, which proportional system do you prefer when asked in 2024, voter apathy will again leave us with no voice. If we don’t all speak up there will only be continued widespread anger that leads to hate speech. Let’s start with the problem, our autocratic long outdated voting system.
When you hear citizens assembly, ask for the tools necessary to test two or three proportional voting systems first. Don’t be left in the dark when you are asked the question. What proportional voting system do you prefer or want to try? If you don’t have an answer, you are automatically considered in favor of the current system.
We all have a democratic right to free expression so let’s speak together and make every vote count. When we have proportional representation and speak with a public voice, we can crack down hard on hate speech with the support of an Online Harms Bill, as well as our community issues of concern
Sue Greetham
Concerned citizen for Electoral Reform