SECTION: What is the FCP all about

LEVEL 2 SECTION: What does substantial mean?

LEVEL 3 SECTION: What about voting?

LEVEL 4 SECTION: What about the electoral system?

YOU WERE READING:

...the number of political parties  increased from two to several...

WHAT ABOUT POLITICAL PARTIES?

The FCP, like other minor parties, was (and still is) handicapped by the Ontario election rules which, for example, grants a substantial subsidy only to candidates who receive over 15% of the popular vote¹. This rule favours "established" parties. Almost anyone running for an established party is likely to achieve the 15% threshold, while independents and smaller parties are struggling to get the attention of the media and the voters.

A similar rule will refund the Candidate's deposit only when the candidate has received over 10% of the popular vote². 

Ironically, the reason most electors do not vote for smaller parties' candidates is exactly because they know about the unfairness of the system, and the difficulty of candidates to receive support. 

Since "winning" in a local riding is paramount with our electoral system, the pattern of voting reflects the unfairness of the system.

The same is true for the media. One reason the major media do not cover equally all candidates (as it happens, at least with the media paid by taxpayers, in most democracies) is exactly because they know that with the current system minor party candidates and independents have very little chance of "winning".

The way we elect representatives in Ontario is also a handicap. Our plurality system is geared for a two-party parliament and not for a democratic multi-party Legislature (this is addressed in the electoral system section).

However, through the determination of FCP members and because of the need for a pro-life, pro-family alternative, the FCP has continued to run candidate in every election and most by-elections since its inception. 

REFERENCES:

[1]: Ontario Campaign subsidy rule

[2]: Ontario Election refund rule