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M-86 Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform

44th Parliament, 1st Session

Motion Text

That:

(a) the House recognize that,

(i) representative democracy is a fundamental part of Canadian society,

(ii) in Canada’s current electoral system, the majority of voters cast ballots for a candidate who does not get elected, and many voters feel that election results do not accurately reflect their views,

(iii) a Leger poll conducted in September 2020 showed that 80% of Canadians support the idea of striking a non-partisan, independent citizens’ assembly on electoral reform,

(iv) many Canadians are concerned with the health of Canada’s democracy, including voter distrust and disengagement, low voter turnout, and the polarization of politics,

(v) all politicians, and all parties, are widely perceived by the public to have a vested interest in the design of the electoral system,

(vi) citizens' assemblies have considerable legitimacy and public trust because they are independent, non-partisan, representative bodies of citizens,

(vii) citizens’ assemblies have been used successfully in Canada, Australia, Belgium, France, Ireland, Scotland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom to tackle difficult issues through nuanced public deliberation,

(viii) a citizens' assembly on electoral reform would give citizens a leadership role in building consensus on a specific model for electoral reform for Canada; and

(b) in the opinion of the House, the government should create a Canadian citizens’ assembly on electoral reform, which would,

(i) consist of citizens selected by sortition, an impartial selection process to ensure the assembly’s independence and non-partisanship,

(ii) reflect the diversity of the Canadian population, including a representation and meaningful participation of age groups, genders, ethnicities, languages, socioeconomic backgrounds, and geographic regions including from First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples,

(iii) determine if electoral reform is recommended for Canada, and, if so, recommend specific measures that would foster a healthier democracy.


Latest Activity

Wednesday, February 7, 2024
Decision Made - Negatived

History

Monday, June 12, 2023
Placed on Notice
Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Placed in the Order of Precedence
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
Debated
Monday, February 5, 2024
Debated
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
Decision Made - Negatived

Joint Seconders (20)

Jointly seconding a private Member's motion is a formal way for up to 20 Members to show support for the motion before it is called for debate. They are displayed in the order they were received by the Clerk of the House.

Jointly seconded on Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Photo - Jenny Kwan - Click to open the Member of Parliament profile
Jenny Kwan
Vancouver East

Jointly seconded on Wednesday, July 12, 2023

Photo - Julie Dzerowicz - Click to open the Member of Parliament profile
Julie Dzerowicz
Davenport

Jointly seconded on Wednesday, August 2, 2023

Photo - Matthew Green - Click to open the Member of Parliament profile
Matthew Green
Hamilton Centre

Jointly seconded on Thursday, August 3, 2023

Photo - Jenica Atwin - Click to open the Member of Parliament profile
Jenica Atwin
Fredericton

Jointly seconded on Tuesday, September 26, 2023

Photo - Nathaniel Erskine-Smith - Click to open the Member of Parliament profile
Nathaniel Erskine-Smith
Beaches—East York

Jointly seconded on Friday, September 29, 2023

Photo - Patrick Weiler - Click to open the Member of Parliament profile
Patrick Weiler
West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country

Jointly seconded on Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Photo - Ben Lobb - Click to open the Member of Parliament profile
Ben Lobb
Huron—Bruce

Jointly seconded on Thursday, October 12, 2023

Photo - Salma Zahid - Click to open the Member of Parliament profile
Salma Zahid
Scarborough Centre

Jointly seconded on Monday, October 16, 2023

Photo - Taylor Bachrach - Click to open the Member of Parliament profile
Taylor Bachrach
Skeena—Bulkley Valley

Jointly seconded on Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Photo - Alistair MacGregor - Click to open the Member of Parliament profile
Alistair MacGregor
Cowichan—Malahat—Langford

Jointly seconded on Monday, October 23, 2023

Photo - Hon. Bardish Chagger - Click to open the Member of Parliament profile
Hon. Bardish Chagger
Waterloo

Jointly seconded on Tuesday, October 24, 2023

Photo - Hon. Carolyn Bennett - Click to open the Member of Parliament profile
Hon. Carolyn Bennett
Toronto—St. Paul's

Jointly seconded on Friday, October 27, 2023

Photo - Sameer Zuberi - Click to open the Member of Parliament profile
Sameer Zuberi
Pierrefonds—Dollard

Jointly seconded on Thursday, November 2, 2023

Photo - Michael Coteau - Click to open the Member of Parliament profile
Michael Coteau
Don Valley East