Ontario Will Vote on Proportional Voting

The Ontario Citizens Assembly on Electoral Reform on April 15 voted 94-8 to send a mixed member proportional (MMP) voting system to referendum. The decision follows an April 1 study commission recommendation in favor of MMP, which would replace winner-take-all elections as early as 2011.

Made up of 103 randomly selected citizens from around Ontario, the assembly deliberated for nearly a year on Ontario's current system and alternative reform proposals. Members included 52 men and 52 women.

Canada has been a hotbed for electoral reform. In 2005, the British Columbia Citizens Assembly recommended choice voting for Legislative Assembly elections. New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Quebec have all considered fundamental electoral reform.

[ More on electoral reform in Canada ]
[ Globe & Mail story ]
[ More on Citizens Assemblies ]
[ Ontario Citizens Assembly ]
[ Fair Vote Canada ]