Electoral Reform: The people of Barrie-Innisfil are having their say!
MP John Brassard recently sent a survey to every household in the riding of Barrie-Innisfil asking for feedback on electoral reform. The Liberal government has stated very clearly that 2015 would be “the last election under the first-past-the-post system” (the system that has been in place since Confederation, 1867).
The following is a summary of the first 250 responses mailed from households in the riding of Barrie-Innisfil to MP Brassard in Ottawa. (Only those who indicated their name and address have been calculated in these totals):
QUESTION 1: Should Canadians have the final say on the way we elect MP’s?
(250 responses)
YES, hold a referendum: 232 (93%)
NO, let the politicians decide: 18 (7%)
QUESTION 2: Do you favour changing Canada’s electoral system?
(246 responses)
YES, major changes: 74 (30%)
NO, current system: 103 (42%)
MAYBE, minor changes only: 69 (28%)
QUESTION 3: If you chose YES for #2, which new model do you prefer?
(87 responses)
PROPORTIONAL: 75 (86%)
PREFERENTIAL: 10 (12%)
OTHER: 2 (2%)
QUESTION 4: Should voting be mandatory in Canada?
(248 responses)
NO: 99 (40%)
YES: 114 (46%)
UNSURE: 35 (14%)
This data shows:
- 93% think the people of Canada must have the final say on changing our electoral system once the politicians present their options.
- 70% believe the current system works well or a major change is not needed.
- Of those who want to change the way we elect MPs, only 12% prefer the Preferential/Ranked system coveted by Prime Minister Trudeau and the Liberal Party.
- Barrie-Innisfil is split on whether voting should be mandatory in Canada.
MP Brassard appreciates all feedback on this important issue facing the future of our democracy.
