Electoral reform is a top issue MY Canada will continue to watch this fall. Our position is simple: Changing such a fundamental aspect of our democracy as how we vote for and elect our officials must be put to a referendum in which all Canadians get a say.
However, the Government continues to refuse to hold one.
Minister of Democratic Institutions Maryem Monsef has repeatedly stated that her team and the committee are working to hear from all Canadians on this issue and also that the government is prepared to go with what the majority of Canadians want.
We are asking for your help in ensuring that Minister Monsef and the committee hear from all of us that we demand a referendum.
HERE'S HOW YOU CAN HELP:
ATTEND YOUR MPS TOWN HALL ON ELECTORAL REFORM
Perhaps the most powerful way you can influence your MP is to meet with them and be a voice in person. A number of MPs have already held town hall meetings on electoral reform to hear from constituents. But it's not too late! Many MPs are continuing to conduct meetings over the next few days.
Please click here to find out when your MP is holding their meeting. If it hasn't happened yet, please do all you can to get to it.
Town hall meetings this week include:
Winnipeg
Pentiction
North Vancouver
Mayne Island (BC)
Oakville
Mississauga
Kamloops
Burnaby
Barrie
Thunder Bay
Corner Brook (NL)
Guelph
Pender Island (BC)
Toronto
Scarborough
Kitchener-Waterloo
Markham
Varennes (QC)
Headingley (MB)
Minnow Lake (ON)
Burlington
Gatineau
and many other locations
Click here for details.
We encourage you to hear what they have to say & gauge where they stand (let us know), and use the question time to let them know your position that this change cannot be made without holding a referendum.
WHAT ELSE YOU CAN DO:
1) CONTACT YOUR MP AND THE COMMITTEE IN MINUTES:
Please take a moment to send an e-mail to the Minister of Democratic Institutions, the ERRE Committee and your Member of Parliament explaining that you think it necessary for the government to hold a referendum before changing our democratic process.
Step 1: Click here to open a new e-mail addressed to Maryam Monsef and the ERRE Committee now.
Step 2: Add your own MP to the e-mail.
Click here to find your MP by postal code.
2) SIGN THE PETITIONS:
Please add your name to the official online petition calling upon the Min. of Democratic Institutions to hold a referendum.
Sign the Let Us Vote petition.
3) TWEET THE ERRE COMMITTEE:
The Special Committee on Electoral Reform is inviting YOU to tweet your questions and comments to their attention on twitter using the hashtag #ERRE #Q. Please take a moment to tweet them now and let them know that you would like to see a national referendum.
4) SUBMIT A PROPOSAL BRIEF:
The Committee is inviting any person or organization to submit a brief. The brief must be no more than 3,000 words in length (including the summary and footnotes) and be submitted to the Committee no later than October 7, 2016, at 11:59 p.m. (EDT). Send your proposal to the Committee by email at erre@parl.gc.ca or by using the appropriate button on the Committee’s website here.
We encourage you to take the time to make your voice heard. This is what democracy is all about! What an honour to exercise our democratic right.
5) Help spread the word!
We urge you to spread the word and let your networks know about this issue. Invite them to take part in the action points above as well.
Every voice matters! Thank you for adding yours.
MORE INFORMATION ON ELECTORAL REFORM:
Electoral reform: Which party would benefit most?
MPs to spend summer working on electoral reform
Liberal plan to eliminate first past the post is flawed
Special Committee on Electoral Reform Website
