Maryam Monsef

[Democratic Reform, May 12th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, an independent and constructive media is critical to the success and the health of our democracy. However, this particular reform process is about engaging those who do not have a platform to share their thoughts, their needs, and their aspirations, including young people, indigenous persons, women, those with disabilities and exceptionalities, new Canadians, those living in rural and remote regions of our country, and those of more humble socio-economic background. That is the inclusive approach that Canadians expect from us. That is what we will deliver.

[Democratic Reform, May 12th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, this is indeed an historic opportunity for all of us to go out of our way to engage those Canadians who do not traditionally engage in the democratic process.

We are committed to creating a new electoral system that produces a Parliament that Canadians can be confident in, one that ensures their voices are heard and represented in this House. We all share this ideal in this House. I look forward to the contributions of all members towards that end.

[Democratic Reform, May 12th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, we took the leadership to ensure that non-recognized parties would be at the table.

Under our proposal, members of the Bloc Québécois and the Green Party would be able to participate in developing the witness lists, question witnesses, travel with the committee for hearings across the country, and have the opportunity to provide their input into the final report.

The committee cannot do this work alone. It will require collaboration from all members of this House. I look forward to the contributions of every single member and every single party represented in this House.

[Democratic Reform, May 12th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to remind all members of this House that no changes or reforms have yet been presented to this House.

Yesterday, we announced the first step towards hearing from Canadians about how to bring their democracy into the 21st century. We have begun the first step, and that includes listening to Canadians across 338 ridings and making a thoughtful and evidence-based decision that way.

[Democratic Reform, May 12th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, listening to Canadians is at the heart of a healthy democracy.

We are committed to ensuring that young people, new Canadians, indigenous persons, those with disabilities and exceptionalities, seniors, and those living in the rural and remote regions of our country, have a meaningful opportunity to engage in this process.

[Democratic Reform, May 12th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, change and much-needed reform require leadership and vision. Our government has a vision for a healthier democracy, and there is no lack of leadership on this side of the aisle.

It is my hope that all members of this House will share in this leadership and help bring our electoral system into the 21st century.

[Democratic Reform, May 12th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, while the premise of the argument that my honourable colleague brings forward is false, I will go on to bring this forward.

Yesterday, the first day that we brought forward the conversation on electoral reform, the hashtag, #electoral reform, on Twitter alone, garnered nearly 12 million impressions in one day.

This is the 21st century way, and we will ensure that all voices who do not traditionally engage are included in this conversation.

[Democratic Reform, May 12th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, we need to ensure that the tools we use to hear from Canadians are in line with the 21st century's needs and the possibilities to make sure that all Canadians across this great nation are included in this important conversation.

[Democratic Reform, May 12th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the hon. member's desire to hear from Canadians, but I have yet to hear from him or his colleagues on how a referendum could help us hear from those who do not traditionally engage in the democratic process, like young people, women, indigenous persons, those with disabilities and exceptionalities, and those living in remote and rural regions of this country.

We need to ensure that we use—

[Democratic Reform, May 11th, 2016]

Mr. Speaker, while I recognize that it may be comforting for some to stay in the past, in the 21st century there are many other tools and ways to engage Canadians in important conversations, like one about democratic institutions.

We are confident that the individuals around the committee table will put their narrow partisan interests aside and serve the Canadians who have put us here.