Electoral reform is once again an issue in the House of Commons. 

Back in the summer, NDP MP for Nanaimo-Ladysmith Lisa Marie Barron put forward a motion for the creation of a National Citizens Assembly on Electoral Reform. If created, this assembly would recommend alternatives to our current first-past-the-post system. 

This comes after the Liberal government's 2015 campaign promise for electoral reform, which was ultimately abandoned in February 2017. The Liberal government cited a lack of support for reform.

In British Columbia, electoral reform has been on the table several times. A 2018 referendum saw 61 % of voters electing to stay with the first-past-the-post system. Critics described the referendum questions as confusing, and exit-polling conducted by Research Co. found that the number one reason for those who didn’t vote was “not feeling informed enough”. Turnout for the referendum was a low 42%.

Previously referendums had been held in 2005 and 2009 in BC. 

Last week on November 7th, MP Lisa Marie Barron’s motion was debated in the House of Commons. This week Barron joins me in-studio to talk about her motion and why she believes we need to change our electoral system on a federal level.

I also spoke with VIU professor of political studies Micheal Mackenzie about our current electoral system and what could happen if the motion carries following further debate in February 2024.

Finally, I spoke with Gisela Ruckert from Fair Vote Canada about the need for electoral reform.

Find show notes and transcripts here.

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