NDP and Fair Vote Canada stand up for electoral reform

Together with Fair Vote Canada, NDP Leader Tom Mulcair reiterated the NDP’s commitment to introduce a mixed-member proportional system, which would make the 2015 election the last unfair election.

“The current system over represents some voices and silences others. We think Canadians deserve a proportional system where every vote counts," said Mr. Mulcair. "We put forward a simple motion asking all parties to commit to replacing Canada’s unfair voting system but Conservatives and Liberals voted against it."

The mixed-member proportional system is already in place in Scotland, New Zealand and Germany where it has increased voter turnout, better-represented constituents’ interests, and improved the representation of women and other marginalized groups in Parliament.

“Electoral participation keeps falling in Canada, and we know a proportional system will better reflect the political preferences of Canadians and get more Canadians to the polls,” added NDP MP Murray Rankin (Victoria).

“It’s time for the Members of Parliament in the House of Commons to reflect the popular vote,” continued NDP MP Randall Garrison (Esquimalt – Juan de Fuca).

“Fair Vote Canada has been working for more than 10 years to get electoral reform on the political agenda and this is a great step forward,” added Wendy Bergerud, President of the Greater Victoria Chapter of Fair Vote Canada.

The mixed-member proportional system would allow Canadians to continue to elect local MPs, but would also ensure that the number of seats that each party wins in the House of Commons is representative of their percentage of the popular vote.