Parliamentary committee proposal lags provinces (June 16, 2005)
June 16, 2005
FAIR VOTE CANADA
NEWS - June 16, 2005
PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE PROPOSAL ON ELECTORAL REFORM LAGS PROVINCES -- CITIZENS' ROLE MUST BE STRENGTHENED
Today's recommendations from the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs on a process for electoral reform show that federal Parliamentary attitudes still lag their provincial counterparts, says Fair Vote Canada, a national citizenˇ¦s movement for fair voting reform. However, the proposed process could be made both "credible and effective" if key principles are addressed during implementation.
"This is the first sign of the federal parliamentary parties agreeing on a process related to electoral reform," said Fair Vote Canada President Wayne Smith. "We're pleased to see the process will examine how to foster a more representative House of Commons, including, but not limited to, increased representation of women and minorities, and questions of proportionality, community of interest and representation."
"Those are the right values, but unfortunately," said Smith, "the Committee concluded that Parliament, rather than the electorate, should make the decision on how Parliament is elected."
Smith noted this stands in stark contrast to British Columbia, which used an independent citizens' assembly and referendum process for electoral reform, and Ontario, which will do the same. Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick both established independent commissions to make reform recommendations, with both premiers stating that referendums would be used for the final decision.
"Canadians have seen a number of their provincial political leaders, both Liberal and Conservative, concede the obvious governments and elected officials are in a clear conflict of interest making decisions about the voting system," said Smith. "Voting systems can be designed to make all voters equal and produce fair outcomes. On the other hand, voting systems such as the current one can also be designed to unfairly reward or punish or even exclude parties from Parliament. The voting reform process must be fair, and equally important, must be seen to be fair. These decisions cannot be left in partisan hands."
The Committee's proposal does include a citizensˇ¦ consultation committee, and that, says Fair Vote Canada, could be the foundation for a credible and effective reform process.
"The Committee has proposed two parallel bodies, one comprised of citizens, and the other of parliamentarians. That can be the basis of a good process, if the power relationship is reversed," said Fair Vote Canada Executive Director Larry Gordon.
"The parliamentarians should be providing advice based on their practical experience and the citizens' committee or commission should be assessing that advice when considering what type of voting system best treats all voters equally and produces fair election outcomes."
The Standing Committee's report says very little about the structure and mandate of the Citizens' Consultation Committee. Fair Vote Canada has pressed the Standing Committee to recommend a process that is:
- owned and driven by Canadians without interference or undue influence by the Government, political parties and elected officials;
- transparent and objective;
- maximizes opportunities for all Canadians to learn about the role and types of voting systems; and
- allows Canadians to make the final decision, by majority vote, through a national referendum.
"Parliament can still choose to do the right thing, set up a citizen-driven process, similar to that used in BC, Ontario, or in New Zealand, and allow citizens themselves to choose the best voting system," said Gordon. "Fair Vote Canada will continue to mobilize Canadians of all political stripes to fight for a fair electoral reform process to ensure that we actually get a fair voting system."
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[ This Message was edited by: admin on 2005-06-20 16:16 ]