Adam Chapnik makes a case for the per vote subsidy.
Votes for losing candidates become virtually meaningless the moment the election results are announced, while voters who supported landslide winners – and particularly those who consider elections like this one unnecessary – are left to wonder why they bothered coming out in the first place. The voter subsidy changes things. For now, Canadian ballots – at least at the federal level – are never wasted. Even if Canadians know that their candidate does not stand a chance of winning in a particular riding, they can be assured that their vote will make a difference. It will serve as a $2 contribution to the political party of their choice, a donation that can then be used by that party to develop stronger policies and run a better campaign the next time.