House of Commons photoLost her last election, in 2021, with 35% of the vote.
Democratic Reform May 31st, 2016
Mr. Speaker, the member opposite knows that the Charlottetown accord referendum was not about the way we vote. It was about how the country as a whole would move forward.
The member opposite knows that past referenda on electoral reform have disengaged half of the population.
Let us use the tools available to us in the 21st century to gain the interests and the opinions of as many Canadians as possible. He is not up to the challenge, but we are.
Democratic Reform May 31st, 2016
Mr. Speaker, why is the member opposite trying to mislead Canadians? The Charlottetown accord referendum—
Democratic Reform May 31st, 2016
Mr. Speaker, I would like to put forward the following.
The conversation we are having about a possible end game, that of a referendum, is taking away from the important conversation we need to have here and now about ways to engage Canadians in the process so we can arrive at an outcome that is appealing and responsive to their needs.
If the members opposite are truly interested in conversing with Canadians, then let them come forward with their ideas on how they will engage their constituents on this important conversation.
Democratic Reform May 20th, 2016
Madam Speaker, is 50% voter turnout okay?
We have a philosophical disagreement about our responsibility and the opportunities that exist for this Parliament to modernize our electoral system.
Those who do not engage traditionally in the electoral process, like young people, whose voter turnout has been dwindling for the past 20 years, with the last election being the exception, deserve to be included in this conversation.
The member opposite may not believe that, but we do.
Democratic Reform May 20th, 2016
Madam Speaker, let us talk about the facts.
The Ontario referendum and the B.C. referendum did not include nearly half of the population of those provinces. I understand that is okay for the member opposite. I understand that the voices of half of Canadians who will be affected by these changes are not relevant to the member opposite.
That is not the way we do things. That is not what we promised Canadians. We will ensure that we embark on this process in an inclusive and responsible manner, unlike the members opposite.
Democratic Reform May 20th, 2016
Madam Speaker, during the last election, over 60% of Canadians voted for parties that were promising electoral change.
Why did Canadians choose this? Our current system is inherited from the 19th century. Canada is one of only three OECD countries that operates under the first past the post system. It is time to modernize.
Democratic Reform May 20th, 2016
Madam Speaker, the system we currently have was inherited from the 19th century. We currently exist in a multi-party democracy. We currently exist in a Canada—
Democratic Reform May 20th, 2016
Madam Speaker, if the members opposite believe that extending the right to vote to women is a little change, it appears we are on completely different pages. If the members opposite believe that extending the right to indigenous persons is a little change, we need to have a different—
Democratic Reform May 20th, 2016
Madam Speaker, it appears that the member opposite may need a reminder of historical events. In 1872, Canada adopted the secret ballot. In 1918, women began to be extended the franchise. In 1920, the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer was established. In 1960, voting rights were extended to indigenous persons. In 1970, the franchise was extended to those under the age of 21.
All of these changes occurred without a referendum. It took leadership. It took a willingness of all members to work together. Let us repeat history and do this right.
Democratic Reform May 20th, 2016
Madam Speaker, when the former government decided to make significant changes to the Fair Elections Act, did it consult with Canadians? Did it consult with parliamentarians? Did it include the voices of those Canadians who would be most affected by those changes? It did not.
We will not take any lessons from the former government. We will ensure that we learn from its mistakes and bring our electoral system into the 21st century in a responsible and inclusive manner.