Ontario, Canada’s upcoming referendum on mixed member proportional representation made the Economist today.

So far, the ‘no’ side has raised $500 CDN for a lit piece. And that’s it.

A “Vote for MMP” campaign has set up an office in Toronto and claims a dozen chapters in the province; its opponents have managed to raise just C$500 ($470) to print a leaflet. Both are relying on a C$6-7m educational campaign by the election agency.

For the referendum to pass, that educational campaign has to convince 60% of voters and majorities in 60% of ridings. Maybe that’s why the ‘no’ side doesn’t seem too worried.

According to the Economist, “unstable minority governments” are the main opposition talking point. They really mean coalition governments, and there’s nothing inherently unstable about one of those. I’d argue a “minority government” is something else, and the article gives a good example of one:

At the last provincial election in 2003, the Liberals won 46.5% of the vote but 70% of the seats.