NDP moves forward with a plan for Electoral Reform after years of Liberals’ broken promises

OTTAWA – On Tuesday, Members of Parliament will debate NDP MP Lisa Marie Barron’s motion to create a National Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform. Barron is calling on all parties to support this motion as a first step forward on electoral reform after the Liberals have disappointed Canadians by dropping their electoral reform promises.

“Canadians need a government that reflects their priorities accurately – whether it be on how to manage the severe impacts of the climate crisis or creating more affordable housing options,” said Barron. “But that won’t happen because we have a voting system that is outdated and leaves voices out of the important conversations that are happening right now, and this needs to change.”

Justin Trudeau campaigned to make the 2015 election the last election under First Past the Post. But shortly after being elected to power, Trudeau broke that promise and our electoral system remains unfair to so many people eight years later.

Right now, with the current electoral system, a political leader can hold 100 per cent of the decision-making power in Canada, with less than 39 per cent of the vote. Canada’s First Past the Post electoral system makes it so that Parliament is not representative of our communities, particularly leaving women and visible minorities behind.

“Canadians deserve to have their voices heard, regardless of whether Justin Trudeau breaks his campaign promises or not,” added Barron. “New Democrats want to make sure every Canadian has a say over how their government works – and I hope that every party agrees and chooses to support my motion that offers a path towards a fair voting system where every vote counts.”