The result will be uneven and unfair representation. But parity of voting power, though of prime importance, is not the only factor to be taken into account in ensuring effective representation. It is a practical fact that effective representative often cannot be achieved without taking into account countervailing factors. First, absolute parity is impossible. It is impossible to draw boundary lines which guarantee exactly the same number of voters in each district.
Voters die, voters move.
Even with the aid of frequent censuses, voter parity is impossible. Factors like geography, community history, community interests and minority representation may need to be taken into account to ensure that our legislative assemblies effectively represent the diversity of our social mosaic. However, beyond this, dilution of one citizen's vote as compared with another's should not be countenanced. The purpose of s. 3 of the Charter is to grant every citizen of this country the right to play a meaningful role in the selection of elected representatives who, in turn, will be responsible for making decisions embodied in legislation for which they will be accountable to their electorate. A referendum is basically a consultative process, a device for the gathering of opinions.