Ontario to get 21 more seats in Parliament

Ontario will now have 21 more seats in the House of Commons as the federal government quietly agreed to give in to the province's demand for greater representation.

Originally, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said that Ontario would receive 10 seats in the House under a revamped distribution plan meant to reflect a growing population in the province as well as Alberta and British Columbia.

However, on Wednesday, Premier Dalton McGuinty told reporters that he and Harper had come to an understanding when they met in Ottawa last Friday.

"I spoke with him about that and I think we've fixed it," McGuinty said when he was asked if the seat issue had come up during their meeting.

McGuinty said Harper agreed to the extra seats without asking Ontario to give up anything in return.

"I think there was a sense that it was the right thing to do," he said.

McGuinty had voiced his concern over the redistribution plan that would have given Canada's most populous province one MP for every 115,000 residents. He said other key provinces had better representation with one MP for every 105,000 citizens.

At one point, the issue caused a deep tension between Ottawa and Ontario. Peter Van Loan, the Conservative government house leader, called McGuinty the "small man of Confederation" for his demands.

McGuinty insisted he just wanted fairness and shot down accusations he was acting un-Canadian for wanting the most for Ontario.

The premier said that during his meeting with Harper, the prime minister argued that Ontario was better off because of the redistribution plan. Harper pointed out that under the old formula, Ontario would have only received four additional seats.

"I said 'yeah, that's true, but that's not the point," McGuinty explained. "The point is we should be working towards fairness, and over time we would have continued to fall behind."

Ottawa's concession is the latest move on the federal government's part to show a unified front with the Ontario Liberals as both governments try to hammer out a rescue package for the auto sector.

With files from The Canadian Press

Comments are now closed for this story

Competence first not province where they come from
said

It should not matter where the candidates come from? The PM should choose the best candidate for the job.

The only thing he accomplish now is to buy peace with Ontario voters and trying to get more votes in the next election.

Not sure this is what democracy is supposed to look like.

No wander we are in such a mess in this country.

RobO
said

21 more Liberal seats. Nothing like shafting the West Steve.

J.D.
said

An MP is an elected individual and the PM isn't choosing anyone for any position.
Canadians have no clue what democracy is supposed to look like, and that is why we are in such a mess in this country.

ted in Toronto
said

the real story was last year in Québec when ALL memebers of the provincial assembly there unanimously condemned the move giving more seats to other provinces saying that Québec would suffer. Does Charest believe in democracy? Why did he condemn this move? This is the right thing for democracy.

FN
said

Great! Just what we need, more money spent on MPs. Obviously the MPs we have currently "cannot do their job" so they have to bring in more.

It would have been much BETTER for the Canadian tax payer to REDUCE the number of seats in provinces that have too many compared to others to keep everything fair. The only thing this does is increase government spending. It's not like we'll get a "BIGGER BANG FOR THE BUCK" for just having MORE MPs in Ottawa.

Ridiculous... get a grip on reality people, you're spending OUR money!

Its high time !! Kudos to the PM
said

This move should end the perpetual domination of the Canadian House of Parliament by the Quebec voters who only end up voting for separatists.

Now other parties will have a chance to gain majority status and deal away with such insane notions as the 'Coalition of Losers' led by the large separatist Bloc of seats.

Another Harper milestone. Love him or hate him he gets things done for Canada.

beverly - lethbridge alberta
said

Oh Cool - So Albertan's can expect to "quietly" receive the equal representation that we also deserve. Our widely spaced rural population deserves the same benefits and representation as afforded to largely urban populations in other parts of the country.

Now that we've reached the top of the economic heap and are sliding downward like the rest of the world, we, like Newfoundland, need to be protected from those who's thinking leans to programs like the Trudeau era National Energy Program and the devastating results that type of thinking produced.

Tomko
said

Once again the cry-babys in the East get thier way and have a control over the Country what happens in Ottawa. 137 seats in total. Ontario, & Que. running this great Country. The Western Natural resourses paying the bill..Not fare.....
They would all starve if it was not for the dollars sent to Ottawa by the West.

jay,
said

So now the Conservative will get their majority in Ontario? Wait and see. Quebuc is a joke of a province anyway!

SVCR
said

And who the hell does Ontario think they are?
There are other provinces in CANADA McGuinty.
Sorry to hear Mr. Harper did that!

Proud Canadian in Kitchener
said

Congratulations to our Prime Minister & Premier on sitting down and making a joint decision that is right and long overdue.

It is a given that the format of numbers of seats in the House of Commons be based on representation.

Ontario has never had fair representation ( 1 - seat per 105,000 population )& now we will (as others have seats based on this formula).

If Ontario holds more seats its because (believe this or not) we have greater popluation (paying taxes etc).

If those less populated provinces want more seats, than increase your poplulation base, & earn them according to the formula.

Canada needs more meetings like this between our P.M. and Provincial Leaders - one on one & reach mutually beneficial settlements to concerns of each.

This Prime Minister is the Progressive Leader this nation needs, at this hour in our history, and his accomplishments will be noted for history.

This Prime Minister has done more by accident, than the last Liberal dynesty did, over years in power by planning.

May God bless our P.M. and continue to quide his plans for a better Canada.

dwigget
said

If every Canadian's vote is equal, than seat distribution should be on the baisis of population ALONE.

If this is against that principle, than this is wrong.

I am an occasional resident of many parts of this country - and it all deserves fairness.

JTP in Winnipeg
said

Rather than increasing the number of sets why not make a more effective government by reducing the number of seats nation wide?

Give all provinces the same number of MPs per population but make that 1 MP per 200,000 people. Costs less. Less politicians. How could this have been bad?

Philip
said

I believe all of the people who have written comments should take a lesson on how the Canadian Parliamentary System works. It is shameful that we, as Canadians, do not understand our own system.

Steve the Pundit
said

If memory serves, the House of Representatives has 538 members (same as the number of electoral college votes) and has for some time. Using the standard 10-to-1 rule for comparing the US and Canada, we should be able to get by with no more than 60 MPs for the whole country. Bet consensus would be easier to reach with a much smaller group.

Seriously, in today's internet-connected world, constituent needs could be easily served by maintaining (or better, reducing) the current number of seats in the House of Commons. Factor in the office and travel budgets, and you'd have some significant annual savings.

Besides, what do these guys actually do other than automatically vote the party line and host summer barbecues? I've been around for 45 years, and I've NEVER had a need to get in touch with my MP for anything!

Paul R. Martin, Brampton
said

The results of the last election helped cause Harper to change his mind. The Conservatives won the largest amount of seats in Ontario and were very close in numerous other ridings. There is reason for Conservatives to think that they might win the majority of the new seats. As far as Quebec is concerned, as the BQ won the majority of Quebec seats, there is no reason to cater to their demands.
I live in Brampton which currently is represented by 3 ridings that are primarily located in the city. Brampton West is the most populated riding in Canada. Under the new plan, we would get 5 ridings.

PrairieDog
said

Canada really needs to be a Republic. The west gets the screws again. Any of you people that say we in the west are "favoured" by Harper, better think again.
There are thousands of people pouring into Manitoba, Sask, and Alberta but let them just shush up and take what they get, right???

Dave
said

WTF Hello, like we really need these seats, @ how much per person. We have other money problems to deal with than paying 21 more Mp'S.
Harper and McGuinty both need to take pay cuts, as they propose to the public sectors. I just love watching my tax dollars used, to pay high price help, who do not listen to the people who voted them in. Go figure

Kent out west
said

Fairness & 21 more seats. Might as well give Ontario a few billion dollars to go along with that fairness. We out west will just keep closing our industries, have been for years.
It's time Canada stopped being the Republic of Central Canada and looked towards being a Real Democracy of Canada.

Norm from Vancouver Island
said

As long as BC & AB get the seats they deserve its ok. It all works to shrink the impact that Quebec has on the rest of us.

Malcolm Retired Principal.
said

So PM Harper has done the "honorable" thing and thereby ensured a Loony Left Majority for the forseeable future: a left that will continue to rule through "DIVINE RIGHT" from the "CENTRE OF THE UNIVERSE" and pour its scorn on the rest of us REDNECK RUBES (who, by the way keep this country on its feet fiscally).

MRC in Hamilton
said

I do not believe in local representation at the national/international level of government, which is the federal government. To even think, for a moment, that my voice is directly being heard in the House of Commons is absurd (sometimes I wonder whether my voice is directly heard in my city or province, too). For this reason, we should have direct proportional representation in the federal government. Once the House of Commons is elected, through some appropriate & reasonable system, then regional representation can be delegated to those sitting in the House of Commons.

Adding 21 more seats to Ontario sounds to me like adding a majority of those seats to Toronto. Let's face it, there is definitely a different kind of citizen between rural & "heavy" urban life. Geographically speaking, our traditional representation in the federal government does not reflect geographic influences (or attitudes); for example, a few people living in a riding area with drastically different influences/environment & much much larger than your typical riding of a major city possess a drastically different mindset than the comparably thousands more in that metropolis. So, I think that there should be BOTH population quantity AND a geographic quantity represented in the House of Commons---perhaps one a ratio of the other or something certainly of further consideration.

Bottom line: just because a certain number of citizens---uh, people---cram into a small area, does not at all necessarily imply that they deserve more representation. Please think about this.

Peter in Edmonton
said

Speaking as an Albertan, as a recent Conservative voter/convert, and as a, shall we say, typical "screw Ontario" Westerner I have to say I can't see anything wrong or unfair about this. MP seats based on population is fair and if these numbers are correct then I can't honestly complain even if I wanted to.

John in the West
said

Heck, why not just give Ontario, Ontario? They deserve themselves. Then they would realize what they are really like! The rest of the country can sit on the sidelines until Ontario has completely ruined itself. Imagine waking up to the cold reality that you are nothing more than TORONTO!! Can you just see them all running around screaming "we're screwed, we're screwed!" We've finally met our demon and it's us.

RDas - Whitby
said

I'm just shocked at how mathematically unintelligent some folks are? If every other province has approx 1 seat for every 105,000 people, why can't Ontario?

It’s simple math folks, if you want more seats, get more people. I mean Ontario has approx 3.6 times more people than Alberta, so one would expect that it would have 3.6 times more seats in the House of Commons. Funny how that works eh? Representation by population, it is a crazy new thing going around the world. For instance, California, Texas and New York have way more representation than places like Iowa, Nebraska and Oregon. Why? Well they have more people. Similarly, New South Wales has more seats in the house than Tasmania. Why, well they have more people.

In fact, the phenomenon has even hit Alberta. Places like Edmonton and Calgary have more seats in the provincial legislature than Lethbridge and Medicine Hat. Why? Cause they have more people, silly!

If you still don't understand, ask your 10 year old kid, they'll be happy to explain the math behind it.

Jay-TO
said

"21 more liberal seats"

What an asinine comment. Its obvious you don't undestand how seats are assigned. Its done by population and it is done by an independent commission. What harper proposed last year was undemocratic, a recurring thing with the Cons it seems. To add more seats to one region and ignore population growth in the rest of the country is known as gerrymandering which is "fixing" electoral districts to tilt them in your favour.

I am glad McGuinty talked some democracy in our demagogue PM. I find it quite telling with what the Cons are doing and their supporters cheering them on. They want an elected senate for the sake of democracy but on the other hand tried to deny it to ontario with respect to representation. Cons and their supporters are nothing but a bunch of lying, conniving ant-democratic brown shirts.

Steve B.
said

Harper did not give the seats to Ontario out of fairness. He is spooked. Did you notice the arrogant manner of Harper is subdued now that he has created a political crisis? There are dissatified members of his caucas that are just dying to get rid of him. The Conservative Party is still good but the leadership is a one-man-show. The seats represent a panic move to solicit voters. Give Quebec more money, give Ontario more seats and give the opposition more input is a just a way to stay in power. His heart has three priorities ... me..me..me. An early poll said that Canadians in general do not understand the parliamentary system. YOU did not elect Harper. You elected a Member of the Parliment of your own riding and that is all. The democratic process determines who is the Prime Minister. Also Harper telling the Tobacco farmers that the settlement was in jeopardy is garbage.

Derek (Abbotsford)
said

If you look at the seat distribution in the House of Commons right now, there is clearly NOT proportional representation. If we had "perfect" representation (which a democracy would demand), Newfoundland and Laborador would have 2 fewer seats, PEI would have 3 fewer, Nova Scotia, 2 fewer, New Brunswick 3 fewer, Quebec 1 fewer, Ontario 12 more, Manitoba 3 fewer, Saskatchewan 5 fewer, Alberta 4 more, BC 4 more and the Territories would have 1 between the three of them as opposed to 1 each. Ontario, with its new seats actually comes closer to being represented appropriately. The West (Alberta and BC) fall further behind, once again. But Atlantic Canada, the Territories and Manitoba and Saskatchewan are still over represented. Quebec would finally be on par as well. This is all based on seats in the 2006 and 2008 election and based on the 2006 census.
Being a "westerner" I'd like to see better representation, but the only way to rectify this situation would be to either increase the number of seats dramatically (and bloat Parliament) or remove seats from Atlantic Canada, the North and the central Prairies, which they'd cry foul about. It's a no win situation.

CDMorris
said

I am shocked by the comments from some of the Westerners. Did you even read the article? WE HAVE OUR REPRESENTATION ALREADY based on the formula of 1 per 105,000. This brings everyone into line. I have to say, as a Westerner, we are a bunch of bloody whiners and I'm ashamed of us all.

James in New Brunswick
said

Proportional representation is a good thing so long as the majority in one part of the country don't start trying to tell the rest of the country what to do. This will really have an impact on the sparsely populated Territories. There is no way that Bay Street should have any degree of authority over what happens in the Arctic.

I can see it now, the upteen MP's representing urban Canada steam-roller the handful from north of 60 and get whatever they want for the rest of Canada and screw over the peoples, especially the natives, up north.

John Edeals
said

To Proud Canadian in Kitchener; when the alledged 600,000 (good paying, they always say that, "good paying union jobs) disappear from Ontario, I suggest the tax contribution will decline and Ontario's presently declared status as a "have not" province will solidify. Let's see if those 600,000 people move west, they'll decrease the number of MP in Ontario and add 'em in here. Right On. The time to Cowboy Up, is coming to Ontario! Can't you just imagine life, when the wild west moves EAST!!

Marty in Toronto
said

I don't see why anyone is complaining about this. To bring us in line with the rest of the country isn't fair?

Just becuase I live in Ontario means I should be afforded the same representation as someone who lives in Alberta or Quebec?

The people who are saying this is anything but fair and warranted make me sick.

Kevin in Toronto
said

I'm no fan of McGuinty and I have nothing against anyone from anywhere but this nonsense of the West picking up Ontario's tab is ridiculous.

You just happen to live in a place that has a wealth of natural resources.

Ontario will receive almost 350 million from equalization - this doesn't mean that Ontario doesn't still contribute billions to equalize other provinces.

350 million back of the billions we already give.

I understand the frustration in the west with Ontario's (well, really Toronto's) obsession with the Liberal party but get off the high horse already.

This move makes perfect sense. Representation by population.

Doug from Alberta
said

Fairness shouldn't have a moving definition. I hope this signals that the Tories are in fact changing their partisan ways. I won't hold my breath.

Steve in PEI
said

Good. I hate Stephen Harper, but I'm glad he finally did the right thing. It's wrong to under-represent Ontario voters. Besides which, I don't think Harper considers those voters the property of the Liberal Party of Canada... he probably thinks he has just a good a chance of picking up those seats :P.

By the way, I think PEI should have only one MP... but PEI made a special side deal as a condition of joining Confederation to get over representation in Parliament, so it's not the same thing. Ontario did not make a special deal to be screwed.

Howard
said

The article did say that other provinces are being evaluated too, included BC and Alberta.

I think this is okay - equal representation seems fair to me and Ontario is Canada's most populous province.

This is especially interesting if it means more MP's in rural areas. Many complaints come from rural areas who feel that the cities make all the voting decisions for the province (something Saskatchewan especially experiences).

More rural MP's could make for an interesting dynamic in future elections.

I agree - love him or hate him Harper GETS THINGS DONE. Not many liberal governments can boast of as many accomplishments in just 2.5 years.

Any complaints from the Left?
said

I wonder, is Harper being a bully here? Is this undemocratic? Is he trying to destroy the opposition parties?

One could argue that those seats could very well represent more Toronto MP's, a predominantly left-of-centre region in Canada.

Let's hear the Libs and NDP complain about this!

Funny enough, it's mostly right wingers complaining about it.

Huh...what an unfair prime minister, eh? He tries to make parties raise their own funds, and now he wants more equal representation for population by province.

Madness!

DoasIsay
said

About time for Ont. BC has the population for six more seats. Equal & fair... good.

CHS
said

I don't understand westerners thinking this will mean more liberal seats. They didn't say Toronto is getting 21 more seats. The Conservatives won Ontario and this will probably give The conservatives a better chance of a majority. Which many ONTARIANS want.

damien
said

They should take away 3 of the four seats from PEI. 4 seats for 110,000 people, what is that??? The most over represented province by a mile. in Ontario, there is only 1 seat for every 115,000. Ridiculous.

Phil
said

Ontario +21
Alberta +5
BC +7

Why can't the media also mention that Alberta and BC get 12 more seats as well? Is it that hard to do?

DC
said

Fairness is the point. An MP should represent (as much as is possible) the same number of people no matter where in Canada they come from.

It shouldn't be about east vs west or liberal vs conservative.

It would be just as wrong if a western or atlantic province was getting the fewer MPs.

ben from barrie
said

This is bullcrap!!!
21MP's x 150K = $3,150,000 per year over 10 years 30 million, for what!! Smaller government is what we need, not more high paid idiots that do nothing, Oh yeah wait till the pensions kick in and it will be 5 million a year, Use the money to help the majority, not pad the wallets of the privileged.
I use to like harper now I think he's a moron, like mcguinty.

Raj
said

I guess if you whine loud enough.You do get what you want.Is ontario the new quebec.?

b-Ontario
said

All these people from "The West" get over yourselves!!!

Ontario's deficit of Federal Dollars is far more than you could even imagine ...

You thining you pay our bills is obserd and show's that Perstin Manning's Ontarion smear campaign of lies that has been carried froward by Harper has work wonders in mis informing you about how the the funding formula works.

A vote is a vote - why do you think your vote should be worth more than mine.

I guess Harper has finally realized that with 40% of the population you can't win a majority by catering to everone but Ontario. The Scary part for all Canadians is this single move will put him closer to his one and only goal of a majority Government. Say good bye to Canada as we know and Love it...

Toronto NDP
said

CHS
"I don't understand westerners thinking" You've just explained it CHS. It's not about thinking and to the other posters, they just don't get it. It's not about the democracy. It's not about the mathematical representation. Sometimes, some people just don't like anythings Ontario, because of the arrogant-typical attitude seemingly spewed from Ontario and it's continuing, "we are the world, we are Ontario, we are Toronto. Without us there is no other. We are the Alpha and the Omega." So some simply say, me, I don't like. Without reason and not anally seeking one. It's Ontario, that's sufficient. Maybe when your crown tilts and you "just aren't all that", you'll join Canada and get a little humble. Then some would like, not all, but at least some.

Jeff from Ontario
said

Once again Harper is playing his political games. First he splits the country by claiming to save money by cutting back money given to political parties. And now with more members of Parliament, more money will end up going to political parties/government, NOT less ?!?! Increase the number of people per seat, dont add more seats !

Hayley from Surrey
said

Quick math would reveal that on average each of BC's 36 MPs represent 121,711 citizens. While Alberta's 28 members of parliament are each averaging 125,000 constituents.

Ontario isn't the only province growing.

PM
said

Does this mean Ontario is going to support Senate reform ?

I mean, if McGuinty is so concerned about fairness and all...

MattL
said

Representation by population is the correct way a democracy should work.
But by the way our government works, adding more MP's is .... just costly. I think that a budget should be struck so that all MP's got paid the same, but with extras going to cabinet ministers, whips etc. Budget increases based on inflation and population of the country.
By the way, doesn't PEI have 4 seats for ?? 250,000. That should change.

Scott in Vicctoria
said

Hey, I'm from the West (Saskatchewan born and raised)and I don't feel screwed. As the article noted, Ontario has actually had less representation than Alberta etc.
The fact is that Ontario is a big province and despite how wonderful Alberta is, people still choose to live there.
I would suggest for all you Cons that think the West is being screwed you reassess why Harper added the representation: to make it equal.

glenn
said

more taxpayers money spent.

Chris Hodgson in Ontariariari-Oh!
said

Representation by population does little to ensure regional concerns are being met.It creates a power centre in central Canada (mainly in the urban cities) and divides Canadians along an urban -rural divide.The only ones that benefit is the liberal party whose vote has pretty much been centered in the cities.It would be nice to see a reformed senate that would be more proportional along regional lines to ensure legislation does not focus too greatly on urban areas and leaves out the concerns of rural Canadians.It would still be nice to see an elected senate with this structure in place as the current structure just rubber stamps the legislation of the government in power along party lines as both houses are setup along the same lines.There needs to some sort of reform or the concerns of many Candaians will continue to be ignored.

Kim in the west
said

Thanks Phil for pointing out what the media "has simply excluded in their reporting". It is sad that the media does not take a more impartial stance and report just the facts of all sides of a story. Jounalism should be reporting the complete story without leaning to one side or the other.

AylmerBob
said

Representation should be based on number of voters, not population. Those who can't be bothered to vote, have no right to representation. If there are regions that tend to have higher turnout, they would get proportionally more seats. If nothing else, it might help encourage better turnouts - much easier to do, though much less fun, than having more kids.

edCP
said

The west gets shafted again. I can't wait for them to separate - I'd be on the next train.

Sean
said

Since there is 200,000 more people in Manitoba compared to Saskatchewan, Manitoba should receive 2 more MPs. Fair is fair right? Why should we be stuck with only 14?

Dave
said

To MRC in Hamilton:

You said "just because a certain number of citizens---uh, people---cram into a small area, does not at all necessarily imply that they deserve more representation."

Uh, yes it does. To take your point to the extreme, I could move to the North Pole and live on an ice floe and, according to you, I should have my own MP since it doesn't matter about population.

Population is the only thing that should matter.

Kevin in Vancouver
said

Give them whatever they want it won't matter anyway. Within a decade the western provinces will leave Canada and renegotiate a new confederation without the Charter and with immigration restrictions. Ontario has the greatest population but it truly has become a welfare state filled with refugees and other non contributors. Keep letting them in but remember soon you'll be paying for them not us.

Hudsy
said

I agree with proud Canadian in Kitchener.. balanced representation is fair.. yes.. it may appear to give Ontario an advantage..however, it could also be a disadvantage.. good to see to leaders sit down and work it out.. somewhere other than in the medial.. that's an interest based approach.. which we need much more of in this country

john from Calgary
said

I dont think that we can lower the number in Quebec or PEI by the constitution. The only answer is to add. There will be more for alberta and BC.
Strange timing but I am ok with it.

Joe - A conservative from Ontario
said

Attn: Westerners
BC & Alberta received additional seats too! Its due to population growth.

We don't need additional MP's at the public trough.

GWinnipeg
said

It's nice to know that Kenora, Dryden and Thunder Bay will now have more say in federal politics than any of the western provinces.

We need a new system.

George Poole in Lunenburg
said

I would rather Ontario have the extra seats than Quebec, who will just waste them by voting in maoist-separatists anyways, but I don't really care much for Ontario either. The western provinces should have gotten more if anything.

Dave I
said

How did Harper manage to do this? I thought there were constitutional constraints on how many seats could be added to Ontario.
Anyway, I think it is good news. The earlier distribution was going to be too uneven.

Cyril
said

I live in a riding that in the past couple of elections has had 124,000 to 128,000 voters and in area it is twice the size of the GTA, at approximately 14,000 sq. km. All ridings should have a near equivalent number of electors. As it stands now BC and Alberta have a combined population that is greater than Québec's, but with 75 seats Québec has about 12 more MP's than Alta and BC.

Moomark
said

Don't poison minds by calling this "proportional representation" as if it refers to the thing that people have been demanding for years. It doesn't.

Bundy
said

BC and Alberta = 23.8% population - 20.8% seats

Ontario = 38.8% population - 38.6% seats

Quebec and Maritimes = 30.3% population - 34.7% seats.

Yes the West gets the shaft again.

CDM
said

First off, I agree with the posters that proposed decreasing seats to make things equal. The last thing we need now is to add to the number of this dysfunctional bunch at our expense.

That said, it won't happen. So, my only concern is that all or the majority of these extra seats better not fall in Toronto and the GTA. If Ontario is to get the extra MPs so ONTARIO (not Toronto) has 1 per 115,000, the new ridings should have geography taken into account. i.e. I was driving through northern Ontario this summer and couldn't belive the size of some MPs ridings like Clement.

islandguyNL
said

The last time I checked Canada had 10 provinces and three territories. Every part of the country should have equal say in how our country and government is run. ALL parts of Canada should have equal representation in government this way the government will be formed by more then 2 provinces (ie ON and QC). Why should 2 provinces make the decisions for the rest of this great country. This may not seem right to some but it is the only way ALL provinces and territories can have an equal say.

Matthew
said

Sigh, the issue should NEVER be about how the people will vote with the new seats but with the fact that the aim is to make the vote more representative. This is NO PLACE for partisanship on any side.

CDM
said

Jay-TO
"What harper proposed last year was undemocratic, a recurring thing with the Cons it seems."

Harper pointed out that under the old formula, Ontario would have only received four additional seats.

That old formula was under the LIBERALS but I don't see you complaining about that. Canada through red glasses?

Moe in Montreal
said

It makes me sad that an article talking about how Ontario gets more seats has turned into a Quebec bashing thread. Some people need to realise that while Quebec has been consistently voting for the Bloc federally, they have just as consistently been voting Liberal Provincially...If the majority were seperatists, why not vote in the provincial party who can actually call a vote for seperatism?

The explanation? The Liberals are not a party in line with the sensibilities of the Quebec people, neither is the NDP, which would have left the right leaning Conservatives...who could have made great strides in Quebec had Harper not blasted Quebec early on in the campaign he was actually set to make gains in the province.

Yet people accuse Quebec people of being stupid. What would be stupid would be to vote for the party that doesn't respect you or isn't in line with your ideals. The Bloc for all of its ills is the only party that is actually looking out for Quebec's best interest.

Why don't those of you people out west who think that all those who live in Quebec are french seperatists should take a walk through Montreal and see the people that live there. You will see that your stereotypes are just about as valid as the ones some people have about Albertans and Ontarians

brian, cobourg,on.
said

Representation by population is O.K., but at what price?
Add 21 plus what the other provinces get and this will cost millions and millions of taxpayers dollars yearly. Do we really need more politicians at this time?

Zhimmy
said

Salute you Westerners you are supporting this move...

Ontario should get "proper" representation! Just as Eastern, Western and everyone else for that matter! Equality! If that means moving to a PR system I would support that in favour of someone being short-changed!

It should be equal. Now just to correct PEI!

Quebec isn't losing influence! Its getting the level of influence they deserve! Instead of what they have now!

the old lady
said

Time for the West to seperate. I live in Northern Ontario and I will be very sorry to see you go but you should to get a fair shake for all your efforts. I feel the same about Northern Ontario nothing happens west of Perry Sound it is like we are in the wilderness. No pun intended.

New Brunswicker
said

I have to agree the West is shafted yet again.

Sad part is it will backfire on the Conservatives.

Ontario now is too socialist and way to the left and seem to want cradle to grave support from big brother.

Thats not conservative.

Taliban Jack may get his wish yet.

Dan
said

To John in the West, Ontario only complained because Alberta Tories complained several months ago and got their man, Harper, to rejig the Federal seats in Alberta's favour. The maritimes had a few more seats than their population warranted, and so Alberta whined they were under-represented. The fact was, Ontario was the most under represented, but didn't make an issue about it. Because Alberta made such a big deal about it, and only properly increased their seats, Ontario asked for its proper proportion of seats too. Now fans of Harper in Alberta are going to complain about democracy not being fair to them because they don't have as many seats. Give the constant complaining a rest, Ontario has around 12million people and Alberta has only 3million. Sorry, but that's just democracy!

Nick in Regina
said

Now if equal distribution (or something even somewhat close) applied to the Senate as well then I'd be very happy. Basing seat distribution on Canada's population in 1867 is pathetic.

Wayne in Surrey, BC
said

I live in B.C., but feel that Ontario continues to be cheated. Why one MP for every 115,000 people? Ontario should get one MP for every 105,000 people as in other province. Equal representation is the key.

Also, Harper should not have determined the number of seats. Let Elections Canada handle distribution of MP seats across Canada. We don't need to politicize our own democracy!

K
said

Half of all new immigrants stay in Ontario 120,000 people a year! So really they, Ontario) should have representation. MPs represent people not geography and there are more people in Toronto than in Alberta. I am from Alberta by the way.

What I don't understand is why we are making more MPs? Why not just up the amount of people each MP represents? Where does the expansion of the House end??

Dave in Courtenay
said

Is it not true that there is a "no downs" clause in our Constitution? Orginal signatories like PEI and Quebec are guaranteed that their original number of MPs will not be reduced, so we are stuck with an ever growing Parliament. (Please save me the bother of looking up the facts).

Mark
said

I don't know if they teach Canadian history in Canadian schools anymore, but if they do, remember the fight for...

Rep by Pop!

Spenc from BC
said

There is no one left in this country to stand up to the left anymore. What a sad development. So much for developing the west. As if Ontario does not already control this country. Too bad!

K
said

"They should take away 3 of the four seats from PEI. 4 seats for 110,000 people, what is that??? The most over represented province by a mile. in Ontario, there is only 1 seat for every 115,000. Ridiculous."

For those who don't know the constitution does not allow any province to have less MPs than at confederation... therefore Atlantic provinces maybe over represented to their population but it is their RIGHT in the constitution to have these MPs.

Elizabeth, Ontario
said

So taxpayers will get to pay 21 more MP's in Ottawa! It would seem to me there are far too many now. Perhaps a better way of giving Ontario more representation would be to reduce the MP's in other provinces to equal it out. Canadians can't afford to pay more of their salaries and gold plated pensions! And most of these additional seats will just give the GTA more power over the rest of Ontario. That's just wrong!

TD in Calgary
said

here is the population needed to get an MP and the number of MPs presently divided per province (before this recent change to AB, BC and ON)

Nfdl 7 seats
1 MP for every 78,900

PEI 4 seats
1 MP for every 33,400

NS 11 seats
1 MP for every 82,700

NB 10 seats
1 MP for every 73,900

Heres the real nice one
Quebec 75 seats
1 MP FOR EVERY 95,200

Old ON
ON 103 seats
1 MP for every 104,400

MB 14 seats
1 MP for every 79,600

SK 14 seats
1 MP for every 70,800

AB 26 seats
1 MP for every 103,800
(more people needed for 1 MP than every province except BC, any guess why the West wants in??!!)

BC 34 seats
1 MP for every 109,600
(they are getting screwed!!)

I will leave the Territories ou because there are only 3 seats.

But get this, AB and BC surpassed the GDP of QUE a long time ago, we have a combined population that surpasses QUE. BUT they get 75 MP while AB and BC only get 60 seats, so with the new system AB and BC will now have a combined seats of 72, so we will finally have ALMOST as much political power as QUE. The sad part is QUE keeps losing population BUT will NEVER lose MP's. In fact if the west had the same 1 MP for every 95,00 people the political parties would actually care about the west as we would have close to 100 seats. But the East controls the political system so they are very reluctant to give their political power away. They have lost their economic power and fear the loss of political power. The system is at least a bit better under Harpers changes but lets make it all a cushy as Que. has, but thats a dream world!!

PrairieDog
said

This isn't about paying Ontario's way. It's about representation. If Ontario wants to B==ch, then do to PEI. Manitoba should have at least one or two more seats than Sask, population wise, along with 3 million people in Alberta, 1 million in Sask. 28 seats in Alberta....14 in Sask. hmmm This is equal representation????. By that count Alberta should have another 12 themselves.

Koby1Kanoby
said

I have mixed emotions on this…

In one sense, I'm happy to see Ontario will receive it's fair share of representation by population.

However, as a proponent of "less government", I feel the better solution would have been to redraw all the riding boundaries to achieve a the same fair representation by population with less ineffective and expensive Party back-benchers.

I concede, the issue with this is that we should redraw riding boundaries as populations change. That's why an even better solution would be some form of Proportional Representation (PR). I personally prefer MMP, but I suspect most Canadians would prefer STV.

What's that? You don't like PR because it'll result in unstable minority governments? With 5 major political parties, minority governments in Canada are going to be the norm, and we'll need Parties with diplomatic Leaders who are able to build consensus (perfectly democratic). No democratic system, whether first-past-the-post or PR, can guarantee government stability. That depends primarily on the ability of elected representatives to govern properly and responsibly.

Ed, Toronto
said

The problem is that PEI and Nfld each have a guaranteed minimum number of seats in the constitution, and neither is willing to give any up. In the meantime, Quebec has been trying to get a guarantee of 25% of the seats, regardless of population!

Everybody pulling their own way, trying to get whatever they can. Nobody interested in fairness and the good of the country.

Now if we only had proper Senate reform. In the USA, low population states know their voices will be heard because they have the same number of senators as the big guys. And whatever problems they may have in their country, separatism isn't one of them.

Brian GP
said

Wow people i just dont get some of you from the west.
I was born and raised in AB we got the seats we deserve we DONT have the population that they have in the east so they should have more seats and like some have said here it does not mean just more LIB seats.

vince - West
said

We'll have to see how much the west gets. If you look at Alberta and BC, they combined have a population very close to Quebec, yet, we have far fewer seats. Lets even this out first, but this population this is still a left over of stupid socialism.

The only real say should be " NO PAY, NO SAY", the whining would stop, and each province would have to work to be a pay into Confederation if you want say.

It is the only real system when you look at the real world. Go anywhere there are services and goods sold. The one paying the bill gets the say. Each year, we look at have nots and if they haven't fixed their stupidity, then they get less say. If they fix it, and contribute they get more.

But in short, I rather work with Ontario heart land, then with Quebec Bloc types.

Lee in Calgary
said

To Steve the Pundit, you memory has failed you. The US House of Rep's has 435 (each member representing and average of 693,000 people) members (proportional rep) while the Senate has 100 members (2 per state).

The US has 300 + million people while we have 30 + million. Your point is well taken and I fully agree that we should cut our MP's to a total of 157 (each province is cut in half, the territories keep 1 each) while our Senate should be cut to a max of 2 reps per province and territory and should be elected.

While I don't disagree with using a proportional formula for MP's, is now really the time to increase the number of men and woman representing us to the tone of 155k per year plus staff and benefits costs? I'd say no, but I doubt a coaliton will form to defeat this horrific and unneccessary additonal expense.

Dave from Alberta
said

I agree with equal rep per person except for PEI (constitutional issue) but why not 1 per 150,000 persons ? Big waste of money.

Alex (Toronto)
said

@Steve the Pundit
The US House of Representatives has 435 members, and has for a while. It has 100 senators. Each state gets one vote in the Electoral College for each representative and senator. On top of this, the District of Columbia would have one representative and two senators if it were a state, so it gets three votes in the Electoral College. That's the 538 you are thinking of.

@Raj
Ontario has always been the new Quebec. Didn't you study Canadian history?

---------
I am pleased that the provinces that are growing will have representation in Parliament. Completely proportional representation would reduce the number of seats the Atlantic provinces have, which might not go well.

The appropriate role of the Canadian Senate would be to represent the provinces. That's where the smaller provinces should have more senators than their population would warrant. However, Senate reform needs to based on a consensus of all the provinces (not unanimity, but at least a substantial supermajority), not the sort of top-down nickle-and-dime incremental change proposed by Harper. All provinces' issues must be deal with, not just Alberta's. The main obstacle to Senate reform is Alberta's unwillingness to compromise, especially with Quebec.

Gord
said

Bravo Mr. Harper. Bravo.
This agreement is very fair and in keeping with our one man one vote principles and properly represents where Canadian chose to live.

Brian
said

Harper continues to demonstrate a complete lack of judgement. I've voted for him in the last 3 elections, but no more. We need to have someone with strong leadership skills and political savy. Clearly Harper has neither.

Jody in Moncton
said

What a load of crap, I don't care if there are a billion people in Ontario, they are no more, or less important than the meager population in the Maritimes (where, you ask?) New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island, if a family of 13 people wants to go on vacation and they vote on where to go, does the Dad get 35 votes just because he has the keys to the car? NO!!! stop screwing up equality, there should be an equal number of seats in every province. Do you really think 85 Ontario MPs are going to offer anything to NB? No, they are going to take it all for themselves. The maritimes are considering amalgamating and changing our name as one province and calling it O.T.O (Other Than Ontario). Pure garbage the way politics are based on the number of people living in a province, thanks for considering us less worthy.

Ash
said

If people out west have a problem with this I have your solution. Move to Ontario!

Only complaint should be: Harper caving in again.
said

Harper has learned his lesson.

He has become compliant.

Billyboy
said

Vive le West libre!!

omnipotent speck
said

Am I ever sick of all this "West is the best" bull. You don't support anything singlehandedly, most of the people who actually lived in Alta. under Trudeau's (well deserved) National energy plan are dead & gone, the sour gas and the runoff are killing everything they touch, 100 years ago, you were the 'have-not', you have NOWHERE near the rainy-day fund you should have because the oil companies have robbed you blind, and the "common sense" style of government you support has essentially killed the auto industry - your biggest customer. PS: 'Big sky' isn't in the West either. That's just more ignorance from someone who's never lived in an ocean-bordering province (and BC hates you too). Separate. Go on, Git!

Bob from Saskatchewan
said

Those of us who live in western Canada all know that Toronto is the center of the universe (at least Canada). I guess it's only fair that we have to abide by their rules. Like Quebec, hopefully one day they will realize that Canada is much bigger than Ontario.

Paul in Mississauga
said

Wow, some of these posts must be jokes, right?

The Province of Canada went through the 'Representation by Population' debate in the 1850s and now people are posting that Ontario and Toronto "don't deserve" to have equal representation.

Many notes are thoughtful but overall tone of these comments cement my belief that plebicites should never be allowed - too many participants are far too ignorant to cast a vote wisely. This is why we have a representative democracy -thank goodness.

B. Lang
said

Oh great. More pigs at the trough. Just what this country needs.

$155,000 salary, plus expenses, plus pension, plus the extra whineing from Alberta. All for a batch of future backbenchers. We don't need more MP's, I'm with all those that think we should cut back on them not increase.

I'm starting to wonder about Harper, 1st he brings in a larger Cabinet, than wants to bring in 18 more Senator's and now wants to bring in more MP's. No wonder we are going into deficit.

Makinaw Dandy
said

That's good for the O!

Jo in Gtown
said

I think I've just figured out what's wrong with this country ... the majority of people do not pay attention or understand logic. Worse yet, they only read or hear 1/2 a statement or news article then start blathering on about how the West is getting screwed, more Liberal seats, biggest whiners ... blah blah blah
Ontario gets more seats based on population figures - what's wrong with that? Sounds fair to me. Too bad this wasn't done before the election.
Start paying attention people - you just might learn something.

TG from Northern ON
said

Ontario should have the most seats seeing as more than 1/3 of the population lives in Ontario. Just as well, Ontario is the economic engine of Canada, even when times are tough Ontario's GDP is almost half of all provinces combined. Ontario has paid the way for the rest of the country for far too long. 1 Albertan should also mean 1 Ontarian..it's only fair.

Also, its sad to hear Albertans saying that they are paying the way for Ontario. Maybe all of that Oil money should be used to pay back the tax-payers of Ontario who have been lining your gov'ts pockets since confederation.