OTTAWA: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today applauded federal NDP leader Alexa McDonough and her use of the NDP supply (opposition) day to forward the following motion:

That this House strike a special all-party committee to examine the merits of various models of proportional representation and other electoral reforms, with a view to recommending reforms that would combat the increasing regionalization of Canadian politics, and the declining turnout of Canadians in federal elections.

"When it comes to democratic reforms, this is one is at the top of the list," stated CTF federal director Walter Robinson. "While MPs continue to chatter about free votes, empowered committees and other House reforms, they have put the cart before the horse. Before we try to make the role of an MP more meaningful, we should be striving to ensure that when people cast their ballots, they have some certainty that their choices will actually be reflected in the composition of Parliament. Taxpayers are pleased to se that the NDP acknowledges this fact."

Mr. Robinson also used the opportunity of the NDP motion to point out that a diverse group of activists, academics and political leaders will converge on Ottawa next month for the Making Votes Count conference and the founding meeting of Fair Vote Canada: An Electoral Reform Initiative. The conference is schedule for March 30th and March 31st.

"Our archaic first-past-the-post system allows a minority of voters to elect majority governments. But these are faked majorities which fuel regional tensions, serve to further concentrate power in the office of the Prime Minister and exacerbate the disconnect between citizens and politicians," added Robinson. "If this committee is struck, we intend to offer testimony and will advocate for a national referendum on voting reform upon conclusion of its work."

Voting Reform Facts

• Canada is just one of four major nations to still employ the first past the post system.
  
  
• Voter turnout in countries that employ proportional representation systems is 8% to 10% higher than first-past-the-post nations.