‘The west really doesn’t count’: Election called just as B.C. polls closed — again

The federal election call has once again left many western voters feeling disenfranchised, as the decision was made well before their votes were fully considered. On Monday night, media outlets projected that the Liberals would form the next government, just 15 minutes after polls closed in B.C. and shortly after they closed in Alberta. This early call was based on the early results from Eastern provinces, leaving voters in the West feeling like their votes don’t matter.

With a significant portion of the country’s ridings located in Ontario and Quebec, as well as in Atlantic Canada, it’s not surprising that election calls are made before western provinces are counted. However, for voters like Sherry Boschman from Fort St. James, this practice is disappointing. Boschman, who has been voting in B.C. for decades, believes that western voters are often overlooked in the electoral process, echoing the sentiments of her relatives in Saskatchewan who feel similarly marginalized.

One potential solution to this issue is electoral reform, specifically the adoption of proportional representation. Sharon Sommerville, a spokesperson for the national campaign for electoral reform, Fair Vote, explains that under this system, the percentage of seats a party has in the legislature would reflect the percentage of votes it receives. This would ensure that all ridings across the country are equally important in determining election outcomes.

While former prime minister Justin Trudeau had initially promised electoral reform in 2015, he later abandoned the idea, citing it as one of his biggest regrets. Moving forward, aligning polling times nationwide could also help address the issue of western votes being overlooked. By counting votes simultaneously across the country, the election results would be more reflective of the entire population’s choices.

Despite feeling like their votes may not matter in the grand scheme of things, political scientist Stewart Prest emphasizes that British Columbians play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the election. While the early projection of a Liberal win may seem discouraging, B.C. could ultimately be the deciding factor in whether the government forms a minority or majority. Ultimately, every vote counts, and it’s important for voters in the West to remember the significance of their participation in the electoral process.