We'll have access to it. It will be helpful for the committee to see the results, because in it there are some of the issues you've referenced on volunteer and civic organizations.
I have to say that I'm not convinced yet on this issue. As I mentioned in my comments and questions—I'm from Missouri, if you will, on this—show me some evidence, notwithstanding that we've mentioned we can look to other countries. In terms of the countries you've mentioned, I could easily put forward, and I will, the study that was done in Canada by the Law Commission on democratic reform. The most extensive overview on democratic reform in this country would suggest that it's not an extra day of voting that will increase voter participation. Making sure every vote counts is what Canadians want. They would be looking at some form of proportionality.
In fact, I could argue in terms of the list of countries—and you mention the OECD—that maybe it's because they have a fairer voting system and not the fact that they vote on Sundays. I think most political scientists might look at that and say, what's in the window, if you will, as opposed to, when do I get to buy it.
I put that forward because if we're going to have serious debate on increasing voter participation, we need to look at the whole picture here. When I was questioning you about your vision of democratic reform, I have to say I was a little concerned. I'm seeing these piecemeal—I don't think it's intentional. I really don't. But when we see the Senate bills, we see Bill C-56, which popped up and then went away—It didn't go away. Okay. It just went off the order paper radar, just for awhile, until we could talk to Mr. Tory.
Seriously. If we look at it, I'm concerned that there isn't a vision. A vision of democratic reform, for what it's worth, to me, is if you look at institutions like the Senate—Put up the question. It's the elephant in the room. Maybe it's time to phase the Senate out and look at an institution that's more representative, not tinkering with it. Where do we want to be in ten years? In 1865 they were looking at 1841. They were dealing with the Durham report. It's time we looked at our institutions and asked, are they required?
Anyhow, my question to you is regarding Sunday. I go to church. I've mentioned this in passing. Some people think it's okay and others are really not happy with it, I have to tell you that. I think the lack of consultation on this bill might be a problem not just for you but for us if we're supporting it. I would ask that part of our witness list be faith groups. They need to be heard from. They're going to let us know if we don't. I think it would be smart to do that.
I have to say that for some people it seemed like an opportunity to be able to vote on it. For others, you've got politicians in your face for an extra day. That's the other side of the coin.
The other thing I have to ask you is this. Are you aware that in Manitoba they just recently had an election and they actually upped the voter turnout? They did that not with an extra day of voting but through some other innovative things. Has anyone looked at that in your shop, or have you?
What they did, very quickly, is they put voting stations, advance polls, not in churches or schools, like we usually do—you might have a conflict with this plan with churches because not everyone goes to church before noon—but they put them in malls. This is the third consecutive majority government for the Doer government, and voter turnout went up. That's very unusual. They allowed people to vote in unusual places, for many of us, such as in malls. Young people might not go to church as much as they used to, but they sure go to malls. Have you considered that as an idea?
Thank you, Mr. Chair.