(OTTAWA) – Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada (MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands), released the following statement following today’s cabinet appointments:
“Congratulations to newly appointed Ministers Chrystia Freeland, François-Philippe Champagne, Ahmed Hussen, Karina Gould, Patricia Hajdu, and to ministers Stéphane Dion, John McCallum, and MaryAnn Mihychuk who are moving on to new positions. I particularly want to thank Democratic Institutions Minister Maryam Monsef for her work on electoral reform over the past year, and congratulate her on a new role as Minister of Status of Women.
“I welcome Minister Gould to the electoral reform file. The new minister must deliver on the promises of the Liberal platform and the Speech from the Throne, which vowed to make 2015 the last election held under First Past the Post in order to make every vote count.
“I encourage Minister Gould to read the ERRE committee report, which provides a strong recommendation for a made-in-Canada system of proportional representation. These voting systems are not the pure PR systems used in Israel or Italy, and the report makes clear that the only system worse than First Past the Post is ranked (preferential) ballot.
“I am encouraged by Minister Gould’s past statements in favour of updating our electoral system, and in her belief that First Past the Post poorly reflects the democratic will of Canadians. I look forward to working with the Minister, and believe she will act swiftly to select a system of proportional representation that ensures every vote counts. We have precious little time to act if we want to ensure 2015 was the last election held under First Past the Post,” Ms. May concluded.
“Electoral reform is the next step in this evolution toward a more inclusive system. We can build a better system that provides a stronger link between the democratic will of Canadians and the election results, one that motivates Canadians to take part, one that reflects our collective values of fairness, inclusiveness, gender equity, openness, and mutual respect.” - Karina Gould, House of Commons, June 2, 2016
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For additional information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Dan Palmer
Press Secretary | Attaché de presse
dan.palmer@greenparty.ca
m: (613) 614-4916