The Ontario election has delivered a solid majority government to the Liberal party. This is a good thing because the alternative was an austerity obsessed budget slashing Conservative party. That would have been very bad for Ontario and very bad for Canada. However when we look at the split in the popular vote it is clear that the distortions of the first past the post winner takes all electoral system also played a big role in the outcome. Just look at the table below and draw your own conclusions.
Party Percentage of the vote Seats
2011 2014 2011 2014
Liberal 37.65% 38.64 % 53 59
Conservative 35.45% 31.2% 37 27
NDP 22.74% 23.76% 17 21
Green 2.9% 4.9% 0 0
The Liberals gained less than a percentage point in the popular vote yet won six additional seats or roughly 11.3 % more seats. The Conservatives lost a full ten seats or 27 % of their seats with a loss of 4.25 % points in the popular vote or 12 % of their 2011 share of the popular vote. The NDP share of the popular vote increased by one % point and their seat total rose by 4 seats roughly a 25 % gain in seats for a roughly 5 % increase in their popular vote. The Greens were denied any seats despite winning about 5% of the popular vote up from 2.92 % in 2011. Its not surprising that the turnout was possibly under 50 %. which suggests that many potential voters are reluctant to participate because their views are not adequately reflected in the results.
Still it was a good night for Premier Kathleen Wynne and the Liberals and for the significant number of Ontario voters who prefer lower unemployment and proper social services and health care to the wreckage of austerity driven government.
haroldchorneyeconomist 