seconded by the member for Willowdale, moved for leave to introduce Bill C-408, An Act to amend the Referendum Act.
She said: 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)