If Ontario were currently using an mixed member proportional system, voters would see a ballot looking something like this on Oct. 10. With the current first-past-the-post system, voters are asked to choose one candidate from a list. (Graphic by Yingwei Liu)
Feature
A new way to vote
The last time Ontario voters faced a referendum, the year was 1924 and the issue at hand was prohibition. On Oct. 10, 2007, the stakes are a bit higher. At polling stations across the province, voters will be handed two ballots. The first should be a familiar one: it will ask voters to choose from a selection of candidates representing different parties, whom they want to represent them at the provincial level. The second ballot will pose a question with a more lasting impact.
Provincial Election
Education bang for your buck
Parties vying for first spot in the provincial election should rethink the way the Ontario government funds post-secondary institutions, said a spokesperson for the Canadian Federation of Students (CFS). The CFS wants the government to roll back tuition fees to their 2004-05 levels and double the number of grants available to students.
Story
Volunteers may steer clear of Aberdeen
If city council doesn’t agree to close Aberdeen Street over Homecoming Weekend, last year’s Aberdeen Street volunteers may not be making a repeat appearance. After the Homecoming 2005 Aberdeen Street party made national news, Rebelo was fed up with the reputation Queen’s had acquired and wanted to clean up the notorious annual street party on Aberdeen.
Story
Closure rests on city council debate
The contents of councillor Bill Glover’s mailbox Monday morning will determine whether or not he will vote in favour of closing Aberdeen Street for the Saturday of Homecoming. The AMS and the University applied for the street closure two months ago. Glover, councillor for Sydenham ward, which includes the infamous stretch of the Ghetto, said he is waiting on a letter from Principal Karen Hitchcock before deciding whether or not to endorse the closure.
Election Analysis
Referendum ads ‘a hip way of telling the public nothing’
Ask most people on campus about the upcoming referendum question and you will often get blank stares and maybe an awkward shrug. Understandably, this may be the response of a demographic with historically lower voter turnout. But young people are not the only ones who are unaware. Other citizens, from all walks of life, don’t know the impending question, which appears to be the result of an information drought and not simply negligence.
Story
AMS budgets for another loss in operating fund
The AMS may need to increase its annual student fee if it wants to stop running a loss, said Vice-President (Operations) John Manning. The AMS’ funding hasn’t kept up with its growth over the past couple years, Manning said, resulting in shortfalls like this year’s projected $108,627 loss in the operating fund. This is the second year in a row that fund has posted a loss of more than $100,000.
