OTTAWA, ON: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on the federal government to implement recall legislation after Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre said he supports the policy.

“Recall legislation upholds the principle that citizens are the boss and should be able to hold politicians accountable at all times, even between election,” said Franco Terrazzano, CTF Federal Director. “Poilievre is doing the right thing by supporting the concept and acknowledging that voters are the boss.

“Canadians need more tools to hold politicians accountable in Ottawa and the federal government needs to implement recall legislation.”

After former Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu crossed the floor and joined the Liberals, Poilievre spoke with the CTF and supported recall legislation.

“I am a longstanding supporter of the concept that voters should be able to recall their member of Parliament,” Poilievre said. “If you work as a barber or a mechanic or a waitress or a businessperson and you mess up at work and you don’t do what you’re saying, you get fired, but in politics you get the rest of your term and your paycheque so let’s take a look at it.”

Poilievre said the Conservative caucus would discuss bringing recall powers to the House of Commons when it returns this week.

Recall legislation is already in place in British Columbia and Alberta.

Recall is used by constituents to trigger a by-election for elected representatives between elections. If enough voters in their riding sign a petition, a by-election is called.

When a by-election is called, the politician can choose whether or not to run for their position again.

“The CTF has been calling for recall legislation at the federal level for decades and it’s great to hear Poilievre supporting it,” said Kris Sims, CTF Alberta Director. “Recall legislation is a powerful tool for grassroots direct democracy. It’s working in B.C. and Alberta. Now it’s time to bring that same accountability to Ottawa.”