Can you write a letter to the editor about the electoral reform vote?

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Published on Tuesday, 30 May 2017 14:45
Written by editor

Fair Vote Canada supporters,

When Justin Trudeau decided to break the campaign promise to make every vote count our Liberal Members of Parliament who campaigned on this promise did not get a vote.

That's about to change.

On Wednesday, May 31, we expect there will be a free vote in the House of Commons on a motion to adopt the report of the all-party committee on electoral reform (ERRE). Read more here: http://www.fairvote.ca/errevote/

If the other parties vote yes - and we expect they will - we only need yes votes from 20 Liberal MPs for the motion to pass.

A yes vote by Liberal backbenchers would send a strong message to the government that many MPs did not agree with the Prime Minister's decision and want the government to put the promise to make every vote count in 2019 back on the table.

To draw attention to this vote, and hold MPs accountable, we need your help to get this into the media in the days leading up to the vote.

Can you write a letter to the editor of your local paper about why Liberal MPs should vote yes?

In addition to your valuable perspective on why this promise is important to you, a few points to consider:

  • Liberal MPs campaigned on a clear promise that 2015 was the last election using first-past-the-post and to make every vote count in 2019
  • 63% of Canadians voted for parties who made this promise
  • 88% of the experts who testified to the electoral reform committee and 87% of the public who participated recommended proportional representation
  • The largest poll ever on this topic - 15,800 constituents in 20 Liberal ridings - shows that 70% of decided participants want their Liberal MP to advocate in the House of Commons that the Liberal government keep its promise, and change our system to proportional representation in time for the next election

This motion is not a bill. Liberal MPs do not have to agree with every recommendation in the report to vote yes.

There is still time to deliver this important promise for 2019! MPs willing to stand up for evidence, stand up for constituents, and stand up for their campaign promise can turn things around.

Please write a letter to the editor to help us make sure everyone knows about this vote, and MPs know what Canadians want them to do.

Sincerely,

Anita Nickerson
Fair Vote Canada Action Coordinator

P.S. Want to know how proportional representation changes democracy for the better? Join us on Sunday May 28, 2 PM EDT for a webinar with international guests! Register here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/9017152416817694978

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