Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, the member for Thunder Bay—Rainy River, for seconding this bill as well.
The purpose of the bill is to provide for a review of the possibility of using proportional representation in federal elections. A Standing Committee of the House of Commons will be designated to conduct this review and to report with recommendations after public hearings. It also contemplates that a referendum may be held and the question shall be whether electors favour replacing the present electoral system with the process proposed by the proportional representation committee as concurred in by the House, and that referendum, if any, must be held at the same time as the next general election.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)