A referendum if necessary, but not necessarily a referendum

A citizens’ committee should be struck to conduct parallel deliberations with the House of Commons. If the House of Commons and the citizens’ committee cannot agree, then that impasse can be resolved by a referendum. But if they can agree, then a referendum can safely be dispensed with.

Democratic Institutions Minister Maryam Monsef, pictured in this file photo testifying at House Electoral Reform Committee with PCO's Isabelle Mondou. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Opinion

BY MARK CRAWFORD

August 8, 2016

EDMONTON—On the question of whether a referendum is necessary in order to change the electoral system, expert and editorial are divided. Supporters of a federal referendum correctly suspect that the Liberal government, despite receiving a general mandate to change the electoral system in the 2015 ...

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