M-76 Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform
44th Parliament, 1st Session
Motion Text
That:
(a) the House recognize that,
(i) representative democracy is a fundamental part of Canadian society,
(ii) in Canada’s current electoral system, the majority of voters cast ballots for a candidate who does not get elected, and many voters feel that election results do not accurately reflect their views,
(iii) many Canadians are concerned with the health of Canada’s democracy, including voter distrust and disengagement, low voter turnout, and the polarization of politics,
(iv) all politicians, and all parties, are widely perceived by the public to have a vested interest in the design of the electoral system,
(v) citizens' assemblies have considerable legitimacy and public trust because they are independent, non-partisan, representative bodies of citizens,
(vi) citizens’ assemblies have been used successfully in Canada, Australia, Belgium, France, Ireland, Scotland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom to tackle difficult issues through nuanced public deliberation,
(vii) a citizens' assembly on electoral reform would give citizens a leadership role in building consensus on a specific model for electoral reform for Canada; and
(b) in the opinion of the House, the government should create a Canadian citizens’ assembly on electoral reform, which would,
(i) consist of citizens selected by sortition, an impartial selection process to ensure the Assembly’s independence and non-partisanship,
(ii) reflect the diversity of the Canadian population, including a representation of age groups, genders, ethnicities, languages, socioeconomic backgrounds, and geographic regions, along with meaningful participation from First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples,
(iii) determine if electoral reform is recommended for Canada, and if so, recommend specific measures that would foster a healthier democracy.
(a) the House recognize that,
(i) representative democracy is a fundamental part of Canadian society,
(ii) in Canada’s current electoral system, the majority of voters cast ballots for a candidate who does not get elected, and many voters feel that election results do not accurately reflect their views,
(iii) many Canadians are concerned with the health of Canada’s democracy, including voter distrust and disengagement, low voter turnout, and the polarization of politics,
(iv) all politicians, and all parties, are widely perceived by the public to have a vested interest in the design of the electoral system,
(v) citizens' assemblies have considerable legitimacy and public trust because they are independent, non-partisan, representative bodies of citizens,
(vi) citizens’ assemblies have been used successfully in Canada, Australia, Belgium, France, Ireland, Scotland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom to tackle difficult issues through nuanced public deliberation,
(vii) a citizens' assembly on electoral reform would give citizens a leadership role in building consensus on a specific model for electoral reform for Canada; and
(b) in the opinion of the House, the government should create a Canadian citizens’ assembly on electoral reform, which would,
(i) consist of citizens selected by sortition, an impartial selection process to ensure the Assembly’s independence and non-partisanship,
(ii) reflect the diversity of the Canadian population, including a representation of age groups, genders, ethnicities, languages, socioeconomic backgrounds, and geographic regions, along with meaningful participation from First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples,
(iii) determine if electoral reform is recommended for Canada, and if so, recommend specific measures that would foster a healthier democracy.
Latest Activity
- January 30, 2023
- Placed on Notice
History
- January 30, 2023
-
Placed on Notice
Joint Seconders (19)
Jointly seconding a private Member's motion is a formal way for up to 20 Members to show support for the motion before it is called for debate. They are displayed in the order they were received by the Clerk of the House.
Jointly seconded on February 2, 2023
Elizabeth May
Saanich—Gulf Islands
Jointly seconded on February 10, 2023
Nathaniel Erskine-Smith
Beaches—East York
Jointly seconded on February 14, 2023
Wayne Long
Saint John—Rothesay
Patrick Weiler
West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country
Jointly seconded on February 27, 2023
Julie Dzerowicz
Davenport
Jointly seconded on March 7, 2023
Ben Lobb
Huron—Bruce
Jointly seconded on March 28, 2023
Gord Johns
Courtenay—Alberni
Richard Cannings
South Okanagan—West Kootenay
Jointly seconded on March 30, 2023
Yasir Naqvi
Ottawa Centre
Jointly seconded on April 3, 2023
Tony Van Bynen
Newmarket—Aurora
Taylor Bachrach
Skeena—Bulkley Valley
Jointly seconded on April 12, 2023
Brendan Hanley
Yukon
Jointly seconded on April 19, 2023
Leah Taylor Roy
Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill
Jointly seconded on April 25, 2023
Arielle Kayabaga
London West
Sean Casey
Charlottetown
Rachel Blaney
North Island—Powell River
Jointly seconded on April 27, 2023
Michael Coteau
Don Valley East