Mr. Desjardins definition of democracy is only half complete (The Hill Times, Monday April 29th, p. 8). In a democracy, the right of representation belong to all. The preferential ballot on its own (often referred to as "Alternative Vote" or "Instant Runoff") does nothing to restore representation.

Dear supporters,

The National Capital Region Chapter of Fair Vote Canada is having its first letter-writing event Wednesday April 3rd 2013 at 6:30 PM. The aim is to bring FVC members together to write letters to their elected representatives or party leaders.

Come and connect with like-minded individuals while carrying out the core mission of our organization: lobbying to change the voting system. Our representatives and their leaders, regardless of political stripe, need to hear that electoral system reform is important to you.

Mr. Nicholls may not consider himself part of the “intelligentsia”, but that does not excuse him from acquiring a minimum of knowledge before making a critique. In ten words, he makes two mistakes (“Intelligentsia disappointed with democracy”, The Hill Times, February 4th 2013, p.9).

Following the announcement of a referendum on the Alternative Vote by Fair Vote Canada's National Council, the undersigned members of the National Capital Region (Ottawa - Gatineau) Chapter executives have released the following statement.

Elected members of the National Capital Region (NCR) Chapter executive are in favour of option A, that is "Fair Vote Canada's mandate is to promote Proportional Representation and that Fair Vote Canada only support systems that are proportional, at all levels of government."

Fair Vote Canada’s National Capital Region (NCR) Chapter held its 2012 Annual General Meeting (AGM) on September 20th—during Democracy Week. The AGM was well-attended with over 50 people filling the activity room at the Sandy Hill Community Centre.

Fair Vote's mission is to educate and lobby on the benefits of changing elections to a more proportional voting system. The NCR chapter carries Fair Vote's mission in the capital's region ten tidings.

Date: =Thursday September 20th 2012

Doors open at 6:30, event starts at 7:00

Sandy Hill Community Centre
250 Somerset Street East, Ottawa, ON (modifier la carte)

Following the #fairvote hashtag, I spotted a twitter conversation between Melinda Morrissey and David Weber in which Melinda writes:

"It's a system we need,sadly PR is not likely to come out of Ottawa,PR debate has raged for years & nothing has changed."

Fair Vote is having a pub night on Friday the 10th. Please join us!

Details on the chapter's Meetup.com group:

http://www.meetup.com/fvc-ottawa/events/51689192/

The National Capital Region chapter of Fair Vote Canada would like to congratulate Yasir Naqvi for winning a second mandate as the provincial representative for Ottawa-Centre. Mr. Naqvi is a signer of the Declaration of Voters Rights and we would encourage his colleagues and supporters to sign it as well at www.fairvote.ca.