House of Commons photoLost her last election, in 2021, with 35% of the vote.
Democratic Reform November 17th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, the member opposite knows full well that we have been committed to this file since we began our mandate. The member opposite knows full well that there is a committee in place right now deliberating the outcomes that it would like to present to the House. The member opposite knows full well that from the very beginning we were clear that we would not move forward on reform without the broad support of Canadians. I look forward to receiving that report on December 1.
Democratic Reform November 17th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, we listened to Canadians when we proposed the special committee to go out and hear from Canadians. We listened to Canadians and the members of the House when we changed the composition of that committee so the majority would be with the opposition. We will listen to Canadians in new and innovative ways.
I look forward to receiving the committee's report on its recommendations on how we can best move forward. We will present the House with a thoughtful plan once we receive its report.
Democratic Reform November 17th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member opposite for his commitment to this file and I want to thank him for bringing up something that we have been working on for months.
We want to find as many ways as possible to hear from as many Canadians as possible on the topic of electoral reform. We want to hear about the values that matter most to them. To that end, we are working with Vox Pop Labs on a new initiative. The member opposite understands full well that standard procedures require testing and pre-testing. We will have more information on this initiative in the coming days.
Democratic Reform November 17th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, it is a great privilege for me to stand here on traditional Algonquin land.
I want to thank the members of the committee who have worked so hard and so diligently to hear from Canadians, and have worked together to provide the House with a report. I look forward to receiving that report on December 1, and coming back to the House with a thoughtful plan forward.
Democratic Reform October 21st, 2016
Madam Speaker, it is always great when the member opposite and I agree. We have heard from the 1.2 million Canadians who live abroad and wish to be part of our democratic institutions and participate in the voting process. As I mentioned, we are currently examining legislation to find ways to allow individuals who live abroad in this highly globalized world to be part of our elections, and I look forward to working with the member opposite, since we agree to that end.
Democratic Reform October 21st, 2016
Madam Speaker, it is a great privilege to be here on this traditional Algonquin territory.
As a government, we are firmly committed to enhancing Canadians' participation in our democratic institutions. We believe that more Canadians ought to be able to vote. We are currently examining the law as it relates to long-term, non-resident Canadians who wish to vote in federal elections. We intend to introduce legislation this year that will meet the needs of highly mobile Canadian citizens who live in today's increasingly interconnected world.
Democratic Reform October 20th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for the opportunity to stand to speak in my capacity as member of Parliament for the beautiful riding of Peterborough—Kawartha where, unlike the member opposite, I hosted not one, not two, not three, but seven town halls: two in Peterborough, one in Havelock, one in Buckhorn, one in Douro, and one in Apsley.
The reports from the results of those town halls, where nearly 500 persons engaged, were submitted to the committee on October 14, just like everyone—
Status of Women October 20th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleagues on the opposite side of the bench for their commitment to gender parity, for ensuring that we bring not only more women to participate as candidates but allow them to win and actually come to this place, and once they get here, allow them to succeed and feel like they belong.
While we agree with the spirit of the member's bill, the bill was flawed. I offered to work with the party opposite to bring forward measures after we have heard from the Special Committee on Electoral Reform to ensure the unintended consequences that the bill presented initially are addressed. I remain committed to that and I look forward to working with members.
Democratic Reform October 20th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, it is October 20. On December 1, the special all-party committee empowered to study this very matter will report its recommendations on electoral reform. We have been very clear all along about the respect we have for the independence of this committee. We have been clear that we will not move forward on any reforms without the broad support of Canadians.
I urge hon. members on the committee to work together and provide us with one report outlining the areas where they have been able to find common ground.
Democratic Reform October 20th, 2016
Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for his commitment to this file and for the work he is doing on the special all-party committee on electoral reform.
This Prime Minister has, and is, honouring his commitment. We brought together a committee, made up of all parties, to hear directly from Canadians and hear from experts and academics. The member opposite knows well that it will be providing us with a report on December 1 with its recommendations, recommendations we are eagerly awaiting, and we will use that report to make a thoughtful recommendation to this House.