Quebec elections, like all provincial and federal votes, are currently run using the first-past-the-post system, where the candidate with the most votes wins each riding, even if he or she does not accumulate a majority of votes. The draft legislation will face several levels of public scrutiny and will not be in effect before the next provincial election, expected in 2007.

Unless the government decides to significantly boost the fee hikes in its latest proposal, the shortage affecting 142 Ontario communities will grow worse, coalition president Dr. Douglas Mark said yesterday.