A National Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform:

Backed by evidence, powered by people

A vote will be happening in Parliament on a National Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform

The quality of our democracy is facing unprecedented threats. Low voter turnout, mistrust in institutions, polarization, and hostile partisan politics are of deep concern to many. Making progress on electoral reform requires political leadership, but politicians alone won’t fix the system that elected them. 

A vote will be happening in Parliament on a National Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform! 

BACKGROUND ON THE MOTION COMING TO A VOTE

In February, 2023, MP Mike Morrice (Kitchener Centre) put forward a private members motion for a National Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform (motion M-76). A motion can have a maximum of 20 joint seconders and the motion quickly achieved that, with MPs from four parties seconding it.

Unfortunately, Mike Morrice’s motion would not have come to a vote in the House of Commons because his name was too far down the list in the “order of precedence” for private members business. The order is established by a random lottery draw at the beginning of each Parliament.

In June, 2023, building on the momentum and cross-partisan support, MP Lisa Marie Barron (Nanaimo-Ladysmith) put forward a new motion for a National Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform (motion M-86).

This motion was debated for the first time on November 7, 2023 and will be voted on most likely in early 2024.

 

What is a Citizens’ Assembly?

A Citizen’s Assembly is a “mini-public” convened to study and give recommendations on a specific issue.

A National Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform:

    • Is a non-partisan, independent, trusted process
    • Is composed of citizens selected at random, like a jury
    • Includes Canadians from all walks of life, with special care to ensure that participants reflect Canadian society, including by age, gender, ethnicity and region of Canada
    • Engages citizens to learn from experts, thoughtfully consider an issue, and make a recommendation

Without pre-judging various kinds of electoral systems, a citizens’ assembly will review options to improve our current electoral system. They would be free to recommend keeping the status quo (first-past-the-post), ranked ballots, or a proportional system (including proportional ranked ballots, or any other made-for-Canada PR).

Who supports a National Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform?

 

The MPs listed on this website have expressed support for a National Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform in one or more of the following ways:

  • seconding MP Mike Morrice’s motion for Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform (M-76)
  • seconding MP Lisa Marie Barron’s motion for a Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform (M-86)

  • supporting a resolution for a National Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform that was officially adopted as Liberal Party policy at the party’s May 2023 national convention. 
  • responding to invitation to have their name added to this website in support

NOTE: MPs who are Ministers or Parliamentary Secretaries can express public support for a Citizens’ Assembly, but cannot second a private member’s motion in Parliament. We invite all MPs to support a National Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform! If your MP would like to be added below, they can simply fill in this form.

Notable non-partisan Canadians also back a National Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform – click to see who’s in support.

 MPs and former MPs who support a National Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform

Notable NON-PARTISAN endorsers
of a National Citizens’
Assembly on Electoral Reform

EKOS Poll: A strong majority of Canadians back a National Citizen’s
Assembly on Electoral Reform

In December, 2022, EKOS found that 76% of Canadians,supported a Citizens  Assembly on Electoral Reform. See the full poll results here.

 Support for a National Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform by party voters:

Motion M-86, Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform