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Proposed Legislation Would Allow Ontarians To Choose Electoral System
TORONTO, Oct. 24 /CNW/ - The McGuinty government has introduced
referendum legislation that will enable Ontarians to have their say if the
Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform recommends a change to the province's
electoral system, Minister Responsible for Democratic Renewal, Marie
Bountrogianni announced today.
"We believe that the shape of democracy is a matter for Ontarians to
decide," said Bountrogianni.
"That's why we established the Citizens' Assembly to re-examine the
electoral system we inherited and determine whether it should be retained or
exchanged for another. If the Citizens' Assembly recommends that we change
systems, our proposed legislation will permit a referendum to be held on that
alternative," she added.
One hundred and three Ontarians - one from each of the province's ridings
-have been appointed to the Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform, the most
ambitious and far-reaching democratic renewal initiative in Ontario's history.
The independent Citizens' Assembly will assess Ontario's current
electoral system and others, and recommend whether Ontario should keep the
current system or adopt a new one.
"The work of the Citizens' Assembly members is an incredible contribution
to Ontario's democratic life, and I urge all Ontarians to follow their work
and participate in their activities," said Bountrogianni.
If the Citizens' Assembly recommends a change, the government will hold a
referendum in conjunction with the next provincial election on October 4,
2007. The proposed legislation, if passed, would set the threshold for a
winning referendum vote as 60 per cent of all votes cast provincewide plus a
simple majority of more than 50 per cent in at least 60 per cent of provincial
ridings.
"The adoption of a new electoral system would represent a foundational
change to Ontario's democracy," said Bountrogianni. "A decision of this
magnitude deserves to have the support of a solid majority of Ontarians across
the province. This bill outlines a legitimate process that would result in a
clear outcome for Ontarians."
Under this proposed legislation, the government would be bound to
introduce legislation to implement the recommended electoral system if the
threshold is met.
<<
Disponible en français
www.democraticrenewal.gov.on.ca
Backgrounder
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CREATING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ONTARIANS TO CHOOSE
The Electoral System Referendum Act, 2006
>>
The Electoral System Referendum Act, 2006 is being introduced to ensure
that if a referendum on electoral reform is required, Ontarians will have a
legitimate process in place that will deliver a clear outcome.
This historic legislation will, if passed, require a referendum to be
held if the Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform recommends an alternative
system for Ontario. If Ontarians are given an alternative electoral system to
consider by the Citizens' Assembly, every voter in Ontario will have a chance
to make the choice for themselves in a referendum held in conjunction with the
next provincial election on October 4, 2007.
With the establishment of the Citizens' Assembly, and the introduction of
this legislation, the McGuinty government is making it clear that the shape of
Ontario's democracy is a matter for Ontarians to decide.
The Decision Rule and Threshold
A referendum decision rule sets the level of popular support required for
a referendum option to carry. A decision rule may include more than one
threshold that must be met.
<<
Should the Citizens' Assembly recommend a new electoral system for
Ontarians to vote on, the Electoral System Referendum Act, 2006 proposes two
thresholds for the referendum vote to meet:
- 60 per cent of all votes cast provincewide, plus
- a simple majority of more than 50 per cent of votes cast in at least
64 provincial ridings (the equivalent of 60 per cent or more of
provincial ridings).
>>
British Columbia and Prince Edward Island used this decision threshold in
their respective referendums on electoral reform.
If in the referendum Ontarians vote to change the electoral system, the
government would be bound by the results to introduce the alternative system.
The adoption of a new electoral system would represent a foundational
change to Ontario's democracy. This is an important decision that would
require the support of a solid majority of Ontarians across the province.
The Referendum Framework
The proposed legislation establishes that the government will set the
referendum question. If a referendum is held, this legislation ensures that
the question will be clear, concise and impartial. It ensures that referendum
voting will be administered in a similar manner to voting in an election.
If passed, the Electoral System Referendum Act would also enable the
making of regulations to govern referendum campaign finances.
Electoral Systems
The heart of Ontario's democracy is a system of regular elections that
allows citizens to choose the people who will represent and govern them. When
that system reflects the values of citizens, it produces a democracy that is
rich, vital, and strong.
Electoral systems are designed to turn individual choices into collective
ones. Each vote is combined with many others to select political
representatives. Ontario uses a single-member plurality, or
first-past-the-post electoral system. Each riding elects one MPP. Each elector
casts one vote for the candidate of their choice. The winning candidate is the
one who receives the most votes in the riding.
Different electoral systems combine votes in different ways. All
electoral systems have their strengths and weaknesses, and can have a
significant impact on important features of our political landscape.
Choosing one electoral system over another involves deciding what values
are most important, determining how citizens want their government to work,
and making trade-offs among competing objectives.
The Citizens' Assembly
The Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform has brought together a random
cross-section of Ontarians to assess the current electoral system and others,
and recommend whether Ontario should keep the current system or adopt a new
one. For the first time in Ontario's history, Ontarians will have the
opportunity to participate in a full, open debate on our electoral system.
This process will empower Ontarians to decide the shape of Ontario's
electoral system. The members of the Citizens' Assembly will consider the
values of Ontarians as they examine various electoral systems. The Citizens'
Assembly will also consider the values and principles of electoral systems. It
will be a citizen-led process of learning, listening and deliberating.
The Citizens' Assembly is composed of 103 members, one from each of
Ontario's ridings and the chair, George Thomson, appointed by the Lieutenant
Governor in Council. The Citizens' Assembly operates independently of the
government.
Members of the Citizens' Assembly were selected at random by Elections
Ontario from the Permanent Register of Electors for Ontario. Each assembly
member was appointed by Dr. Marie Bountrogianni, Minister Responsible for
Democratic Renewal.
The Citizens' Assembly meetings began on September 9, 2006. Members are
attending two weekend meetings each month at Osgoode Hall Law School in
Toronto. The meetings are open to the public. Citizens' Assembly members will
participate in a series of public consultations to hear Ontarians' views on
electoral reform. The Citizens' Assembly will issue a report with its
recommendation on or before May 15, 2007.
For more information, please visit the Citizens' Assembly's website at
www.citizensassembly.gov.on.ca.
The Students' Assembly
The Students' Assembly on Electoral Reform, a parallel citizens' assembly
process for Ontario high school students has been launched to complement the
work of the Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform.
From November 15-19, 2006, the 103 members of the Students' Assembly will
learn about our current electoral system and alternative systems being used
around the world and consider which systems best reflect their values.
From November 14 - December 14, 2006 participating high schools across
Ontario will hold classroom assemblies on electoral reform. After students
have completed a curriculum module, they will cast their vote for an electoral
system of their choice.
The results of the student vote and feedback from the Assembly conference
will be included in a submission to the Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform
on February 11, 2007. The Students' Assembly is being coordinated by three
youth-focused organizations, Student Vote, The Students Commission and The
Planning Desk.
<<
Disponible en français
www.democraticrenewal.gov.on.ca
>>
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For further information: Sarah Charuk, Minister's Office, (416) 212-7234
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