Electoral Reform committee  It doesn't have to, but again, if what you have in mind is to correct for some of the under-representation that currently exists in Canada, but playing with district magnitude and recognizing the fact that some areas, some groups, may be under-represented, district magnitude can address that.

Electoral Reform committee  That's been the best so far.

Electoral Reform committee  That particular aspect is only one of the many variables that define a mixed member system. Probably much more important, or just as important, what is no less important than the number of seats you allocate to the proportional theory is how much cross-contamination you allow. Look at the German system.

Electoral Reform committee  Until about an hour ago, I didn't even know that Jon and I are from the same institution, or at least were at some point in time, so it puts me on the spot. It's an absolutely mathematically and intellectually brilliant alternative, and Jon, you have to forgive me for saying this, but I think it will remain in the classroom or at least in intellectual conversations.

Electoral Reform committee  Okay. You're right. The whole framework comes from Arend Lijphart's work, Patterns of Democracy. There are two main types. He breaks down types of democracy in the advanced industrialized world into two families: the majoritarian and the consensus democracies. Majoritarian democracies are characterized by institutions.

Electoral Reform committee  Yes, absolutely. I haven't heard the presentation by my colleague that you were privileged to hear, but the very fact that they framed the presentation as whether PR would lead to a higher grade, or is it a myth tells you that it has been an established system for not an insignificant amount of time.

Electoral Reform committee  Thank you for the question. The answer depends on the kind of electoral system you have in place. Let me give you two alternatives. One is an example with first past the post. The example is India, part of the same electoral system, heritage, and political institutional heritage that Canada also inherited as part of the Westminster family.

Electoral Reform committee  First of all, thank you very much for having me today and giving me the opportunity to share a few ideas about electoral reform, what I have to say with respect to the five principles guiding the mandate of this committee, and hopefully the choice of an electoral system alternative for the country.

Electoral Reform committee  Yes, I will slow down a bit. I won't repeat what I said, but what I do want to pick up on is the important distinction between what the two main electoral system families do. Proportional electoral systems of any kind, and there are many different ways of achieving proportionality, will create greater participation by way of greater electoral turnout.