(OTTAWA) July 7, 2016 - Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada (MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands), along with Deputy Leaders Daniel Green and Bruce Hyer, are encouraging all Members of Parliament to host town halls and educate Canadians on electoral reform this summer.
Since February, Ms. May, Mr. Green and Mr. Hyer have held electoral reform town halls and presentations across Canada, and have engaged hundreds of Canadians on how to make every vote count in 2019. Further events will take place throughout the summer.
"In town after town, we heard an overwhelming call from Canadians for proportional representation. In my own riding of Saanich-Gulf Islands, a survey sent to every home registered 82.4% in support of getting rid of our winner-take-all system in favour of some form of proportional representation. It’s time to ensure that every vote counts,” said Ms. May.
Earlier this year, Ms. May utilized her MP newsletter to inform her constituents about electoral reform and the benefits and shortcomings of various voting systems.
“This is just one way all MPs can engage Canadians on electoral reform with minimal effort and cost,” Ms. May said.
Mr. Green said: “I am looking forward to continuing to invite all Québécois to participate in public meetings on how to fixing our broken voting system. I hope other parties, including the Bloc Québécois, will work with us at these meetings to help improve our democracy.”
Mr. Hyer added: “Canada is not yet a real democracy. Most of the democracies worldwide have some kind of proportional representation (PR), which fosters more co-operation between parties. PR means that every vote counts, and if the one party receives 20% of the national vote, that party will receive 20% of the seats in Parliament.
“The Liberals, NDP and Greens all committed before the election to reforming our broken electoral system. The public now has another five months to provide input into what kind of PR they prefer so that every vote will count,” Mr. Hyer concluded.
Ms. May has presented on the benefits of electoral reform in the following cities:
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Feb. 22 - Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS
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March 10 - Toronto, ON
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April 9 - Salt Spring Island, BC
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April 14 - Electoral Reform MP Panel, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON
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April 30 - Halifax, NS
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May 1 - Victoria-by-the-Sea, PEI
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May 8 - Vancouver, BC, joined by Fair Vote Canada
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May 12 - Kingston, ON
Mr. Hyer has held presentations on electoral reform in partnership with Fair Vote Canada in the following cities:
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May 16 - North Bay, ON
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May 18 - Sudbury, ON, joined by Mike Schreiner, Green Party of Ontario Leader
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May 31 - Winnipeg, MB
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June 1 - Brandon, MB
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June 4 - Ottawa, ON, Fair Vote Canada AGM
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June 9 - Regina, SK
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June 11 - Saskatoon, SK
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June 12 - Edmonton, AB
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June 14 - Calgary, AB
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June 16 - Victoria, BC
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June 18 - Nanaimo, BC
Mr. Green has held presentations on electoral reform in the following cities:
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May 31 - Montréal, QC (Centre Saint-Pierre)
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June 7 - Montréal, QC (Île-des-Sœurs)
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June 15 - Gatineau, QC
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June 21 - Québec City, QC
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Additional events planned throughout Québec in July, August and September
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For additional information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Dan Palmer
Press Secretary | Attaché de presse
dan.palmer@greenparty.ca
m: (613) 614-4916