“The reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone National Park in the United States illustrates how a minor change can have significant and positive ripple effects on the whole ecosystem,” Bill Gillies writes.
MacNeill Lyons / National Park Service / THE CANADIAN PRESS via AP file photo
“The reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone National Park in the United States illustrates how a minor change can have significant and positive ripple effects on the whole ecosystem,” Bill Gillies writes.
MacNeill Lyons / National Park Service / THE CANADIAN PRESS via AP file photo
Ontario’s flawed election system takes a heavy toll on our political ecosystem. Perhaps Mother Nature could offer a pathway for progress.
The Progressive Conservatives were re-elected last month with a large majority of seats but only 43 per cent of the vote — often called a “false” majority. It should be branded as Canada’s own form of gerrymandering.
Defenders of the status quo say that false majorities are the system’s best feature. The best (worst?) example was the 1990 NDP majority government under Bob Rae, with 37.6 per cent of the vote.
It doesn’t have to be this way. Many more effective systems, usually called proportional representation, are used worldwide.
Proportional representation would bring many benefits. Voters would feel their ballots mean something and are no longer “wasted.” Political parties would behave differently, knowing their total vote province-wide would be meaningful. They wouldn’t run all their best candidates in toss-up ridings. We wouldn’t squander the talents of those wanting to perform public service. These are just some reasons proportional representation would be an excellent tonic for our ailing democracy.
The reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone National Park in the United States illustrates how a minor change can have significant and positive ripple effects on the whole ecosystem.
In 1926, Yellowstone’s last wolf pack was exterminated. With no predators, the park’s elk population suddenly exploded, leading to barren and overgrazed land. Trees no longer grew near riverbanks, resulting in constant erosion. Birds and other creatures could no longer feed on carrion from wolf kills. The park’s health spiralled downward.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
In 1995, 14 wolves from Canada were released in the park to help the balance of nature. The wolves’ positive impact cascaded throughout the park’s ecosystem. Elk could no longer strip all vegetation from riverbanks because they were too exposed to the wolves. Elk went back into the woods. Trees and vegetation along riverbanks (riparian vegetation) then came back to life, preventing erosion.
The new vegetation provided homes and food for a growing number of birds. The population of beaver families in the park surged, since they now had nearby trees to build homes. This caused the number of fish and other aquatic creatures to soar.
The reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone infused the park with new life and energy, much of it unforeseen. No aspect of the park was untouched. Many people opposed the wolves’ return, but now acknowledge it as a roaring success.
Our electoral system is outdated and sclerotic. It’s time to unleash the democratic wolves. We deserve a modern political ecosystem that makes voters confident their views are represented and respected.
Bill Gillies was press secretary for former NDP leader Ed Broadbent and a former Star editorial board member.
