Across Alberta, people are exhausted by the tone of our politics. 

Conversations that once reflected our shared values now fracture along partisan lines. Community divisions deepen. And many Albertans feel their voices matter less and less in decisions that shape their lives.

We can do better than this. 

And it starts with confronting a truth we’ve avoided for too long: the way we elect our representatives is part of the problem.

An Outdated Voting System

Alberta—like the rest of Canada—still relies on First Past the Post (FPTP), a century-old voting system designed for a two-party world that no longer exists. 

Under FPTP, a party can win overwhelming power with a minority of public support. Millions of votes translate into little representation. And entire regions become political strongholds where results are predetermined before a single ballot is cast.

When a system rewards division, we should not be surprised when division grows.

Alberta Should Learn from Successful Democracies

Proportional representation offers a path out of this downward spiral. 

Most successful democracies around the world use some form of PR—and for good reason.

Research by political scientist Arend Lijphart and others shows that proportional systems tend to deliver higher voter satisfaction, stronger policy stability, and broader representation.

When votes truly count, citizens stay engaged.

Distorted Results Don’t Equal Democracy

Alberta’s recent elections highlight how FPTP fails us. 

In 2019, the governing party won 72% of the seats with 55% of the vote. 

In 2015, another party won 62% of the seats with just over 40% support. 

These distortions fuel resentment and deepen the idea that certain regions or viewpoints “don’t matter.”

Under PR, seats would match the vote. Urban, rural, Indigenous, newcomer, and minority voices would all be reflected in proportion to their actual support. 

That change alone would shift political incentives toward cooperation instead of confrontation.

Read more: Alberta Had Proportional Representation: Why’d We Give It Up?

The Power of Coalition

Critics warn that proportional systems require coalition governments. That’s true—and it’s also their strength. 

Coalitions force parties to work together, negotiate shared priorities, and build policies that last. 

Compare that to the lurching policy reversals we see whenever Alberta’s government changes hands. Stability comes from collaboration, not one-party dominance.

Alberta’s future—from energy transition to healthcare reform to economic diversification—requires long-term thinking. A more representative electoral system would help make that possible. 

Yet, electoral reform rarely comes from those in power. 

What Is The Future of Alberta’s Democracy?

FPTP benefits major parties, lobbyists, and well-connected groups that prefer dealing with a single governing party. Change has to start with citizens.

That’s why Alberta should create a Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform. 

These assemblies—used in British Columbia, Ireland, and recommended by the OECD—bring together a representative group of everyday people to learn, deliberate, and propose solutions. They work because they reduce partisan noise and elevate informed public judgment.

Albertans are practical people. We trust fairness. We value accountability. And we know that polarization won’t fix itself. 

If we want a healthier, more cooperative politics—one that reflects who we really are—it’s time to rebuild the foundation of our democracy.

A better Alberta is possible. But it requires us to act. Supporting a citizens’ assembly is the first step toward ensuring every vote counts and every voice is heard. 

If we want a kinder, gentler province, we need a kinder, fairer electoral system to match.