Ontario electoral reform referendum will be held Oct. 10

Voters will decide whether to replace time-honoured first-past-the-post system

Toronto (17 April 2007) - When Ontario voters go to the polls on Oct. 10 this year they will be asked whether they want to replace their time-honoured first-past-the-post electoral system with a new system "mixed-member proportional" representation.

The Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform, set up by Liberal Premier Dalton McGuinty to study the way legislature members are elected, has voted 94 to 8 in favour of a referendum when provincial voters go to the polls on Oct. 10 this year.

It will be a rare event for the province. The last referendum in Ontario took place in 1921 when voters were asked to decide on the prohibition of alcohol.

If adopted, mixed-member proportional representation would ask voters to cast two ballots - one for the candidate of their choice and one for their preferred political party.

The size of the legislature would increase to 129 members under the new system. Ninety MPPs would be elected directly and the remainder would be chosen proportionally from party lists on the percentages of ballots they poll. Any party with more than 3% of votes cast would eligible.

To be approved, the province has already said the referendum must attract a double majority of votes, including a minimum 60% of all votes cast, plus a minimum of 50% support in at least 50% of the ridings.

British Columbia and Prince Edward Island held referendums on electoral reform in 2005 but neither won enough support to pass. Quebec is in the process of reviewing its election process. B.C. has promised a second referendum in 2009.

The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE) is supporting the concept of proportional representation, arguing that it is much fairer overall than the winner-takes-all system now used.

OPSEU was one of a large number of groups that made a presentation to the Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform. NUPGE

More information:
OPSEU urges Ontario to adopt proportional representation