Citizens’ Assembly Will Re-examine How We Elect MPPs
An assembly of citizens from across Ontario will be empowered to re-examine our first-past-the-post electoral system and recommend possible changes, says Premier Dalton McGuinty.
"If that assembly recommends an alternative, we will hold a referendum on that alternative within our mandate," the Premier said in a speech to the government-sponsored Dialogue on Democracy conference.
"When it comes to how the people elect their representatives, the people of Ontario will have their say."
The review of Ontario's electoral system is part of an aggressive agenda to strengthen democracy in the province.
The Premier also announced that a citizens' jury will be asked to make recommendations to the government regarding changes in how provincial political parties and election campaigns are financed.
"It's not enough for our decisions to be beyond the influence of political contributions," the Premier said.
"They must be perceived to be beyond the influence of political contributions."
The Premier outlined the government's record on democratic renewal.
It includes the introduction of several pieces of legislation that will, if passed:
- Fix election dates every four years instead of leaving it to the Premier of the day to choose a date based on political considerations
- Require that the provincial auditor review and report on the province's finances before an election
- Ban government spending on self-serving, partisan political advertising
- Extend the provincial auditor's powers to conduct value-for-money audits of institutions in the broader public sector, such as school boards, universities, colleges and hospitals.
In addition, the government has extended the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act to the provincial hydro companies.
"This is the most ambitious democratic renewal effort in North America," said Michael Bryant, Ontario's first Minister Responsible for Democratic Renewal.
"We will involve Ontarians directly in improving the quality of our democracy, modernizing our political institutions, and restoring public faith in government."
Tomorrow, Bryant is to announce efforts to engage young people in our democracy.
The Premier said the citizens' assembly on electoral reform will be free to consider all options.
"It may be that Ontarians choose to keep our first-past-the-post system. That's fine. The very exercise of re-examining our electoral system will reinvigorate and heighten our appreciation of it," he said.
"This is a matter for Ontarians to decide. Our responsibility is to ensure the public's voice is heard loud and clear, and has an impact."
