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432-00230 (Democratic process)

Paper petition

Original language of petition: English

PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED

Whereas:

  • An Angus Reid poll conducted in September found that: 85% of respondents supported a Citizens' Assembly to deliberate on electoral reform; 79% agreed that a National Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform be formed after the 2019 federal election regardless of which party formed government; 90% agreed that parties should cooperate; and 80% agreed that parliament should reflect how people voted;
  • The distorted results from the recent federal election clearly illustrate the need for electoral reform;
  • An Angus Reid poll in November found consensus support for proportional representation from a majority of voters in every province, all age groups and all major political parties;
  • Citizens' Assemblies have been used successfully in Canada, Australia, Belgium, France, Ireland, Scotland and the U.K. to tackle difficult issues; and,
  • A National Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform would: give citizens a leadership role in determining electoral reform for Canada; provide meaningful deliberation on electoral reform by a representative group of citizens free from partisan influence and interests; build consensus for any recommended changes to our electoral system; and need to be established as soon as possible to allow time for their recommendations to be adopted before the next federal election.

We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to:

  • Establish a National Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform;
  • Require the Citizens' Assembly to complete its work within 12 months; and,
  • Adopt any recommended changes to our electoral system before the next federal election.

Response by the Prime Minister

Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Kevin Lamoureux

In 2016, the Government of Canada established the Special Committee on Electoral Reform, and launched a series of consultations to engage Canadians on electoral reform.

The Government of Canada would like to thank all Canadians who took part in these consultations.

The Government of Canada listened to Canadians carefully and gained valuable insights into Canadian democracy.

Neither a clear preference for a new electoral system, nor a consensus, emerged from these consultations. Consequently, the Government of Canada decided not to proceed with changing the first-past-the-post electoral system.

The Government of Canada has since taken steps to modernize the electoral process and to make it more accessible, transparent and secure. The Elections Modernization Act, which passed in 2018, contained a number of pragmatic reforms enabling the Canada Elections Act to better address the realities facing our democratic institutions in the 21st century.

The Government of Canada will continue to work to strengthen and protect our democratic institutions.

Presented to the House of Commons
Elizabeth May (Saanich—Gulf Islands)
November 16, 2020 (Petition No. 432-00230)
Government response tabled
January 25, 2021
Photo - Elizabeth May
Saanich—Gulf Islands
Green Party Caucus
British Columbia

Only validated signatures are counted towards the total number of signatures.