I am a bit torn. I'm not a fan of referenda generally. I do see electoral reform as an exceptional case, so I wouldn't want governments to have to deal with every policy decision by saying that “Well, we're going to make our decision and then we're going to present it to the people. We're going to constantly have plebiscites.” However, I think there is something particular about electoral reform that's inherent in a value proposition about what system we ought to have. I don't think a referendum can replace any of the process of actually arriving at a potential alternative, but I have yet to hear a convincing argument against a referendum in this case, especially given the arguments against first past the post and the nature of government power under that system or why we ought to potentially push through a system without knowing that Canadians don't prefer the status quo.
On August 23rd, 2016. See this statement in context.