Re: What more is needed for the Ford government to do the right thing on long-term care? (Toronto Star Editorial, Oct. 28)
Your article makes it clear that the Ford government’s failure to act urgently to improve long-term care will cause unnecessary deaths among our seniors as the COVID-19 second wave continues. Many of us are angry about this, but what can we do? Writing a letter to your MPP gets a response – “We share your concerns…” – that is often immediate, but generally meaningless. Standing in a group outside Queens Park with a protest might feel better – you won’t be alone! – but unless your crowd is large enough to get you on the Star’s front page, you’re easily ignored.
The government’s lack of transparency about what’s gone wrong in seniors’ homes, and foot dragging on improving them, is enabled by a system which makes it near impossible to hold those in power to account: that’s our winner-take-all electoral system. It gave the most seats at Queens Park – and effectively ALL of the political power – to a party that got just 40% support from voters. This means that 60% of Ontario voters have been effectively shut out from government input.
If we had a proportional electoral system, MPPs representing other parties, and other voters, would have a voice in government. The PCs’ share of seats would be just the 40% they deserve, and they would need support from other parties to pass legislation. This would mean that bills and policies that now pass without consulting any other party would have to pass the scrutiny of least 11% of other MPPs. With proportional representation, those voters whose intentions are currently excluded from decision-making would get a voice, and our seniors would get a better chance at living out their days in dignity.
— John Baumann, Toronto