Thank you, Chair.
I understand that by a previous resolution of this committee in the 38th Parliament with respect to electoral reform, which was in the Speech from the Throne in September 2004, this committee would consider holding cross-country consultations or meetings with the public, and a consultation process also would be established by the government, I suppose.
The government announced last week that a consultation with Canadians and a polling of Canadians was to take place. I think that's a good idea. My only concern is that this committee, in this Parliament, having been involved previously with the issue in the previous Parliament, not let that drop; and in terms of our role as parliamentarians and this committee's mandate, which would encompass electoral reform, that this committee, on behalf of Parliament, conduct hearings across the country on electoral reform.
As we know, colleagues, this is a big issue in British Columbia. There were consultations by a citizens assembly, which in the last provincial election led to a referendum being called that received 58% in favour of the alternate to the status quo. That will be reintroduced after further public discussion, before the next provincial election. And we know that Ontario has a citizens assembly that is under way as well.
I think citizens assemblies are an interesting exercise. Obviously it's an issue of civic engagement that can work well, but I think the first responsibility to consider issues of such importance to the democracy of our country rests with Parliament, and I would suggest that this committee is the proper locus for such hearings.