Tom Mulcair calls on Conservative MPs to block the Unfair Elections Act

The NDP has launched a campaign to convince backbench MPs to protect Canadians’ right to vote

The NDP’s fight against Stephen Harper’s Unfair Elections Act entered a new phase today, launching a new campaign to convince Conservative MPs to vote against Bill C-23 in the House of Commons.

“This bill is an affront to our democracy and we will do everything we can to stop it”, said NDP leader Tom Mulcair. “To that end, I am calling on all Conservative MPs to find the courage to stand up and defend every Canadian’s right to vote.”

Over the next several days, New Democrats will publicly approach Conservative MPs, inviting them to join ranks with opponents of this electoral reform—which would deny thousands of Canadians their right to vote, while cutting Elections Canada’s investigative powers and ability to educate voters.

“University of Toronto students and senior citizens in downtown neighbourhoods, who can vote in the upcoming by-election, are at risk of being barred from next year’s general election,” said Joe Cressy, NDP candidate for Trinity—Spadina. “We must engage more Canadians in our elections, not undermine people’s right to vote.”

“I believe that a good number of my Conservative colleagues are real democrats at heart and know that this bill is harmful,” added Democratic Reform critic Craig Scott (Toronto—Danforth). “Never before in our history has a government used its majority to pass a bill that so blatantly gives its party a clear advantage in the next general election.”