NDP MP Barron kicks off series of discussions on electoral reform

NANAIMO – On Thursday, NDP MP Lisa Marie Barron will kick off a four-part series of discussions on the path forward for electoral reform. Barron has a motion that, if passed through Parliament, will create a National Citizens Assembly on electoral reform to give Canadians a say over their own governing system.

“When it comes to changing our voting system – it’s critical that every person has a say,” said Barron. “Our voting system is outdated, and it lets a political party with support from less than 40 per cent of Canadians have all the power to shape our country. It’s time Canadians got more say in how this works and what needs to be changed.”

In 2015, Justin Trudeau campaigned on changing Canada’s voting system to be fairer – years later, he’s broken that promise.

Right now, with the current electoral system, a political leader can hold 100 per cent of the decision-making power in Canada, with less than 39 per cent of the vote. Meaning that, essentially, millions of Canadians' voices aren’t heard in Ottawa. These barriers in our electoral systems mean that parliament is not representative of our communities, particularly leaving women and visible minorities behind.

“Canadians deserve to have their voices represented in Ottawa, and if the Liberal government isn’t willing to make that happen, then my New Democrat colleagues and I will push for it,” added Barron. “This is an issue that impacts everyone, now more than ever, we need to unite and ensure Canada`s democracy is strong and representative.”