Volunteers have been out collecting signatures to encourage MP Frank Caputo to vote for a Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform (Photo Credit: Fair Vote Kamloops)

By Silvia Senna

federal electoral reform

Electoral reform: National Citizens’ Assembly to be voted in Parliament

Jan 28, 2024 | 12:18 PM

KAMLOOPS — A motion for National Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform is coming up for a vote in Parliament. Motion M-86 has previously been debated in the House of Commons and will likely come to a vote on February 7. Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo MP Frank Caputo has not yet declared which way he will vote.

A National Citizens’ Assembly would have regular citizens examine all the options and make recommendations, including whether or not to change the electoral system. members are selected with steps to make sure the assembly is demographically representative of the population. It is a neutral and independent “mini public” that does its work at arms-length from government.

“The beauty of this process is that it is specifically designed to find consensus,” says Fair Vote Kamloops organizer Frances Monk, one of many local voters encouraging Frank Caputo to support the bill. “Citizens’ assemblies are the gold standard for deep public engagement, and we need to strengthen our democracy before it’s too late. We are not immune to the trouble south of the border.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reaffirmed he is “deeply committed” to electoral reform and the Liberal party will work to build consensus on a path forward.