(MONTREAL) – Electoral reform is one of the campaign promises made by Canada’s new Liberal government. During last fall’s campaign, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised that the 2015 election would be the last time the current (first-past-the-post) electoral system would be used and that a new electoral system would be in place for the 2019 federal election.
One thing is certain: Canada needs democratic reform. It is not acceptable for a government that did not even obtain 40% of the votes to form a heavy-majority government and have 100% of the executive power. Since the advent of various political parties in the country, this situation has condemned third parties and the electors who vote for them to have very few representatives in Parliament. his senseless situation has gone on for over 50 years.
Daniel Green, Deputy Leader of the Green Party of Canada, warns that “Although most political parties and progressive groups in the country — including the Green Party of Canada — are asking that proportional representation be adopted, so far the Prime Minister has not confirmed that this type of electoral system would be a priority. Many other types exist, and some of those would be even more advantageous for the Liberals.”
For this reason, the Green Party of Canada (GPC) and the other federal and provincial political parties and civil society organizations that favour proportional representation must work together to be able to influence the government. With this in mind, the GPC will organize a series of public lectures in some cities in Québec. The objective is to explain the democratic shortcomings of the current electoral system and the advantages of proportional representation. Our collaborators for these presentations are the Broadbent Institute, Fair Vote Canada and the Mouvement démocratie nouvelle. The NDP, PQ, Bloc Québécois, and Québec Solidaire - all parties that support proportional representation - will also be invited.
Daniel Green will give a first transpartisan lecture on electoral reform on Tuesday, May 31, at the Centre Saint-Pierre in downtown Montréal, beginning at 7 p.m. Proportional representation will of course be discussed, as will the challenges and issues relating to this electoral reform.
A multiparty committee on electoral reform has been set up by federal Minister Maryam Monsef, but neither the Green Party nor the Bloc Québécois will have voting privileges. We therefore have one year to make our voices heard, and to make the government understand that only proportional representation will improve democracy in Canada.
Daniel Green is available to media for interviews.
— 30 —
For more information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Robin Marty, attaché de presse Québec
Parti vert du Canada
514.652.3669
robin.marty@greenparty.ca
OR
Daniel Green
chef adjoint du Parti vert du Canada
514-245-4676