Bill C-408

An Act to amend the Referendum Act

Sponsor

Elizabeth May  Green

Introduced as a private member’s bill. (These don’t often become law.)

Status

Outside the Order of Precedence (a private member's bill that hasn't yet won the draw that determines which private member's bills can be debated), as of June 19, 2024

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Summary

This is from the published bill. The Library of Parliament often publishes better independent summaries.

This enactment amends the Referendum Act to allow a referendum to be held on a question relating to the reform of Canada’s electoral system and to allow for a referendum to be held at the same time as a general election.

Elsewhere

All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from the Library of Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.

Referendum ActRoutine Proceedings

June 19th, 2024 / 5:30 p.m.
See context

Green

Elizabeth May Green Saanich—Gulf Islands, BC

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-408, An Act to amend the Referendum Act.

Mr. Speaker, it is an honour to put forward this private member's bill.

This private member's bill seeks to amend the Referendum Act.

We rarely use referenda in Canada. One reason a referendum is so difficult to use, which my private member's bill attempts to remedy, is that we can only put forward a referendum, under our current law, for a constitutional question, and it cannot be on the same ballot with a federal election. Of course, it is far more cost-effective to have them run together. This bill would open up some possibilities, as a private member's bill. I think it is long overdue, and I hope that it will achieve the support of all parties in this place, in a non-partisan effort, which is why I was so keen to have a member of another party join me in seconding.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)