Monsef announces public hearings & town halls-electoral refo

[Oscar]

Monsef announces public hearings and town halls on electoral reform

[ http://canadians.org/blog/monsef-announ ... ral-reform ]

May 11, 2016 - 6:47 am

Canadian Federation of Students chairperson Bilan Arte and Council of Canadians political director Brent Patterson met with the Minister of Democratic Institutions, Maryam Monsef on April 20, 2016.

The federal Minister of Democratic Institutions Maryam Monsef has announced the federal government will hold public consultations on alternatives to the current electoral system.

The government's notice states, “[The committee will] identify and conduct a study of viable alternative voting systems, such as preferential ballots and proportional representation, to replace the first-past-the-post system, as well as to examine mandatory voting and online voting."

The Toronto Star reports, "Under Monsef’s proposal, the committee would conduct a 'national engagement process' over the summer and fall months including 'comprehensive and inclusive consultation', including written submissions, committee travel, and online suggestions. The proposed committee would look at the prospect of an overhaul of the entire electoral system — the first in Canada’s 149-year history — through five lenses: 1- Increasing the effectiveness and legitimacy of federal representatives; 2- Fostering greater civic engagement; 3- Making voting accessible and inclusive; 4- Maintaining public faith in the integrity of the voting system; and 5- Ensuring that the principle of local representation is maintained."

And the news report adds, "Alongside the committee’s work, Monsef is proposing that each member of Parliament be invited to hold town halls in their riding to discuss electoral reform. Those MPs would have to offer a written submission to the committee no later than October."

As such, the timeline appears to be:

June-September - committee's 'national engagement process' including written submissions, committee travel, online suggestions
June-September - MP town hall meetings
October 1 - deadline for MPs to send their submissions from the town halls to the committee
December 1 - the committee reports to the House of Commons
May 2017 - the deadline for the Liberals to introduce legislation on electoral reform
October 21, 2019 - the next federal election under a new electoral system

In terms of process concerns being raised:

1- The Toronto Star reports, "The Liberals have set aside less than seven months to consult Canadians on a brand new voting system."
2- The 10-person committee reviewing this issue would have 6 Liberals, 3 Conservatives, 1 NDP, and Greens and Bloc Québécois each having 1 non-voting member. NDP critic Nathan Cullen has suggested the membership of the committee should be reflective of the popular vote. He's asked for a 12-member committee with 5 Liberals, 3 Conservatives, 2 New Democrats, 1 Bloc and 1 Green.
3- The Globe and Mail reports, "The Conservatives say electoral reform should not proceed without a referendum."

The Council of Canadians will be mobilizing its supporters to call for proportional representation.

We have long supported proportional representation. We believe it ensures a fairer representation of votes cast, and prevents a governing party from holding total power after earning only a small percentage of the popular vote, which is the case now with the first-past-the-post system. In April 2010, we commissioned an Environics poll that found that 62 per cent of Canadians support "moving towards a system of proportional representation in Canadian elections." Additionally, we oppose the ranked ballot system of voting as a winner-takes-all system that is less representative of voters' wishes than proportional representation.

Our Guelph, Nelson, Penticton, London, Peel and Peterborough chapters met with their MPs earlier this year to call for proportional representation.


Further reading

Council of Canadians calls on Trudeau to implement proportional representation - November 1, 2015
[ http://canadians.org/blog/council-canad ... esentation ]


Brent Patterson's blog
Political Director of the Council of Canadians
[ http://canadians.org/blogs/brent-patterson ]

= = = = =

BACKGROUND:

Council of Canadians – Electoral Reform:
[ http://canadians.org/search/node/electoral%20reform ]


2016 - Canada's ELECTORAL REFORM BEGINS!
[ viewforum.php?f=51 ]

[Oscar]

BREAKING: Liberals kick off the voting reform process

[ http://www.leadnow.ca/votebetter/ ]

It's on. The government just kicked off its process to change the way we vote in elections by announcing a special committee to study voting reform.

It’s the moment we’ve been waiting for since the last election - a chance to finally replace our broken first-past-the-post voting system with one where every vote counts.

We are excited to get going, but let’s be clear - with six voting members on the committee from the Liberals and only four from the opposition, this committee is still going to be controlled by the government. Our best shot at getting a fair and proportional made-in-Canada voting system is to show Prime Minister Trudeau that people across Canada are calling on him to put the public good ahead of partisan interests.

The Vote Better campaign is calling on Prime Minister Trudeau to introduce a made-in-Canada proportional representation system by the neext election. Can you click here to join the campaign and send a quick message to Prime Minister Trudeau?

Through online votes and surveys, the Leadnow community has overwhelmingly supported proportional representation for Canada’s next voting system and the stakes are high.

At this morning’s press conference the government did not rule out the possibility that the committee could recommend to keep our broken first-past-the-post system. Changing how we vote is absolutely crucial to avoiding another Harper-like government, so we need to speak up now.

Today is the day we kick this campaign into high gear. Over the summer, we’ll be working to show Prime Minister Trudeau and our elected leaders that there is a growing movement to fix our broken voting system and replace it with a made-in-Canada system of proportional representation.

Are you in?

JOIN THE CAMPAIGN:
[ http://www.leadnow.ca/votebetter/ ]

With hope and gratitude,

Katelynn, Jamie, Lyndsay, and Rachel, on behalf of the Leadnow team

- -

Leadnow.ca is an independent campaigning community that brings Canadians together to hold government accountable, deepen our democracy and take action for the common good. You can follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google+. To contact us, you can reply to this email.

Leadnow.ca, PO Box 2091, Stn Terminal, Vancouver, BC, V6B 3T2 — 1‑855‑LEADN0W | 1‑855‑532‑3609

[Oscar]

Elizabeth May Invited to Join Special Committee on Electoral Reform

[ https://secure.greenparty.ca/en/media-r ... ral-reform ]

May 11, 2016

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QUOTE: "However, I'm disappointed I won't have the right to vote at the committee," Ms. May said."

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Watch Elizabeth May's complete press conference statements:
[ http://www.cpac.ca/en/programs/headline ... /47657574/ ]

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(OTTAWA) - Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada (MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands), released the following statement on her invitation to join the 12-member Special Committee on Electoral Reform:

"I'm pleased to be sitting at the table as we consult Canadians on a crucial government promise to make every vote count. However, I'm disappointed I won't have the right to vote at the committee," Ms. May said.

"I look forward to the task of discussing electoral reform with Canadians and recommending viable alternate voting systems to replace first-past-the-post. As promised in the Speech from the Throne, the new voting system needs to make every vote count. With a December 1 deadline, we have a lot of work to do and a lot of ground to cover.

"Canadians are ready for a parliament that champions collaboration and greater civility, and where votes are fairly translated into seats. I encourage all Canadians to provide their valued input during our consultation process, so that we can make every vote count in 2019," Ms. May said.

Watch Elizabeth May's complete press conference statements:
[ http://www.cpac.ca/en/programs/headline ... /47657574/ ]

- 30 -

For additional information or to arrange an interview, contact:

Daniel Palmer
Press Secretary | Attaché de presse
dan.palmer@greenparty.ca
m: (613) 614-4916

[Oscar]

Elizabeth May Launches Public Speaker Series on Proportional Representation in Vancouver, B.C.

[ http://www.greenparty.ca/en/media-advis ... esentation ]

May 06, 2016

(OTTAWA) – Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada (MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands), launches a public speaker series to discuss Canada’s broken electoral system and the benefits of proportional representation.

In Vancouver on May 8, Ms. May will be joined by Maxwell Cameron, UBC Professor of Political Science and Director of the Centre for the Study of Democratic Institutions, and Antony Hodgson, President of Fair Vote B.C. The event will be MC’d by Claire Martin, former CBC meteorologist. This event is free and open to the public.

Bruce Hyer, Deputy Leader of the Green Party of Canada, will also host a series of town hall events on proportional representation in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta beginning May 16.

Find a list of events updated regularly for Ms. May and Mr. Hyer here:
[ http://www.greenparty.ca/en/events/all ]

MAY 12: Proportional Representation Talk: Elizabeth May in Kingston

MAY 16: Proportional Representation Talk: Bruce Hyer in North Bay

MAY 18: Proportional Representation Talk: Bruce Hyer in Sudbury, ON

MAY 31: Proportional Representation Talk: Bruce Hyer in Winnipeg, MB

JUNE 1: Proportional Representation Talk: Bruce Hyer in Brandon, MB

June 9: Proportional Representation Talk: Bruce Hyer in Regina, SK


For further information or to arrange an interview, contact:

Dan Palmer
Press Secretary | Attaché de presse
dan.palmer@greenparty.ca
(613) 614-4916