Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament for Kamloops – Thompson – Cariboo says she is extremely disappointed with the Liberal plan to change the voting system without Canadians having the final say in a national referendum.
“The Liberals have stacked the deck and announced a committee that would give them complete control over changes to our voting system. When the rules of democracy are being changed, everyone should have a say,” said McLeod. “Further, we already know that the Liberal Party has pushed for a preferential voting system, which is clearly to their advantage.”
“Our best examples of voting system consultations in Canada, the citizens’ assemblies of British Columbia and Ontario, and the in-depth studies in Prince Edward Island, all concluded with a referendum. That’s the standard of behavior that Canadians now expect,” stated McLeod.
The Liberal dominated Parliamentary Committee will review a variety of reforms, such as ranked ballot, proportional representation, mandatory voting and online voting.
“I believe a more fair way forward would be my recommendations that an independent assembly of citizens be tasked with proposing a uniquely made-in-Canada model. This proposal should then go to a referendum, so that Canadians can choose between our current system and the assembly’s suggested alternative. Fifty percent plus one should be the threshold for change,” concluded McLeod.