Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform (Ontario)
Encyclopedia
The Government of the Canadian province of Ontario
established a Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform in March 2006. Modelled on the British Columbia
equivalent
, it reviewed the first past the post electoral system currently in use to elect members of the Ontario Legislature
, with the authority to recommend an alternative. In May 2007, the Assembly decided to recommend, by a decision of 94-8, that Ontario adopt a form of mixed member proportional representation
(MMP).
and New Democratic
parties. The committee studied electoral systems and issued a report to the Ontario Legislature in November 2005. It recommended the Assembly be provided the latitude necessary to recommend whatever electoral system is consistent with Ontario's (and Canada's) constitution. It assessed several alternatives.
on Electoral Reform, the Ontario Assembly was composed of 103 randomly selected citizens, one from each Ontario constituency. As well, the selection process controlled for the age distribution of the province. The selection process for the Ontario Citizens’ Assembly began in April 2006 and was completed in June 2006.
Prospective members of the Assembly were selected at random by Elections Ontario from the Permanent Register of Electors of Ontario. Every registered voter was eligible with the exception of elected officials. Citizens that received an invitation letter were asked if they would be interested in placing their name in the draw. Of the approximately 12,000 respondents, about 1,200 were invited to attend selection meetings across the province.
At each selection meeting, candidates decided whether to put their names into a ballot box from which one member and two alternates were selected. Ultimately, 52 of the members of the Assembly were female and 51 were male. At least one member of the Assembly was Aboriginal.
The Assembly's work ended with the submission of their final report due on May 15, 2007, recommending a mixed member proportional system similar to that used in New Zealand
. As a result of their recommendation, Ontario voters considered changing their electoral system in the referendum
held on October 10, 2007, the date of the provincial election
. The referendum result was binding if passed by 60% of the vote overall, and by 50% of the vote in each of at least 64 of the 107 electoral districts (i.e. 60% of them.) This threshold was decided by the Ontario cabinet, despite the recommendation of the Select Committee that it require only 50% support in 71 of the 107 ridings.
held on October 10, 2007, at the same time as the provincial election
. The proposal was rejected by 63% of voters, meaning the status quo will stand in Ontario for now. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ontariovotes2007/story/2007/10/10/mmp-referendum.html?ref=rss
By the end of the campaign, Assembly members were critical of both the media coverage of their work and of the $6.8 million educational campaign, directed by Elections Ontario.
"I'm very disappointed there's been a lack of meaningful debate," said Catherine Baquero, Assembly member for Beaches-East York.
"I'm disappointed that Elections Ontario's education campaign has been so toothless. What I expected was a more detailed discussion of the pros and cons of each system." http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=acbd6830-a01d-41b9-b9e1-de52f813176a
"There's an awful lack of understanding on the proposition. I think that's too bad. Elections Ontario isn't doing its job," added Rick Browridge, another Assembly member. "There's been no real attempt at a major public education campaign, and that's what was needed." http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ontariovotes2007/story/2007/10/08/elx-referendum.html
these issues. In particular, it is seen as a good method for studying electoral reform as politicians face a fundamental conflict of interest when it comes to evaluating the system that elects them.
The Ontario vote is considered crucial also by advocates of Canadian federal electoral reform
because the adoption of proportional representation in Canada's most populous province would provide impetus for reform and practical Canadian evidence on how proportional systems respond to voters. The referendum results and the way the referendum process was conducted stand as a warning to future attempts at electoral reform.
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
established a Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform in March 2006. Modelled on the British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
equivalent
Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform (British Columbia)
The Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform is a group created by the government of British Columbia, Canada to investigate changes to the provincial electoral system...
, it reviewed the first past the post electoral system currently in use to elect members of the Ontario Legislature
Legislative Assembly of Ontario
The Legislative Assembly of Ontario , is the legislature of the Canadian province of Ontario, and is the second largest provincial legislature of Canada...
, with the authority to recommend an alternative. In May 2007, the Assembly decided to recommend, by a decision of 94-8, that Ontario adopt a form of mixed member proportional representation
Mixed member proportional representation
Mixed-member proportional representation, also termed mixed-member proportional voting and commonly abbreviated to MMP, is a voting system originally used to elect representatives to the German Bundestag, and nowadays adopted by numerous legislatures around the world...
(MMP).
The Report of the Select Committee on Electoral Reform
The mandate of the Assembly was created by the Report of the Select Committee on Electoral Reform of the Ontario legislature. It was made up of Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) from the Liberal, Progressive ConservativeProgressive Conservative Party of Ontario
The Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario , is a right-of-centre political party in Ontario, Canada. The party was known for many years as "Ontario's natural governing party." It has ruled the province for 80 of the years since Confederation, including an uninterrupted run from 1943 to 1985...
and New Democratic
Ontario New Democratic Party
The Ontario New Democratic Party or , formally known as New Democratic Party of Ontario, is a social democratic political party in Ontario, Canada. It is a provincial section of the federal New Democratic Party. It was formed in October 1961, a few months after the federal party. The ONDP had its...
parties. The committee studied electoral systems and issued a report to the Ontario Legislature in November 2005. It recommended the Assembly be provided the latitude necessary to recommend whatever electoral system is consistent with Ontario's (and Canada's) constitution. It assessed several alternatives.
Selection
Similar to the BC Citizens’ AssemblyCitizens' assembly
A citizens' assembly is a body formed from the citizens of a modern state to deliberate on an issue or issues of national importance. Typically, the membership of a citizens' assembly is randomly selected. The purpose is to employ a cross-section of the public to study the options available to the...
on Electoral Reform, the Ontario Assembly was composed of 103 randomly selected citizens, one from each Ontario constituency. As well, the selection process controlled for the age distribution of the province. The selection process for the Ontario Citizens’ Assembly began in April 2006 and was completed in June 2006.
Prospective members of the Assembly were selected at random by Elections Ontario from the Permanent Register of Electors of Ontario. Every registered voter was eligible with the exception of elected officials. Citizens that received an invitation letter were asked if they would be interested in placing their name in the draw. Of the approximately 12,000 respondents, about 1,200 were invited to attend selection meetings across the province.
At each selection meeting, candidates decided whether to put their names into a ballot box from which one member and two alternates were selected. Ultimately, 52 of the members of the Assembly were female and 51 were male. At least one member of the Assembly was Aboriginal.
The Assembly
Under chairperson George Thomson, the independent body of citizens met twice a month from September 9, 2006 (six weekends in the fall of 2006 and six from February 17 to April 29) to examine the current electoral system. Queen's University Associate Professor of Political Science, Jonathan Rose, led the Assembly in the Learning Phase in the fall of 2006. The Assembly also held public meetings across the province between November and January under the direction of Susan Pigott. After learning and consultation, they spent an additional six weekends deliberating on options and whether or not to change the current system.The Assembly's work ended with the submission of their final report due on May 15, 2007, recommending a mixed member proportional system similar to that used in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. As a result of their recommendation, Ontario voters considered changing their electoral system in the referendum
Ontario electoral reform referendum, 2007
An Ontario electoral reform referendum was held on October 10, 2007, in an attempt to establish a mixed member proportional representation system for elections to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario...
held on October 10, 2007, the date of the provincial election
Ontario general election, 2007
The Ontario general election of 2007 was held on October 10, 2007 to elect members of the 39th Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, Canada. The Liberals under Dalton McGuinty won the election with a majority government, winning 71 out of a possible 107 seats with 42.2% of the popular...
. The referendum result was binding if passed by 60% of the vote overall, and by 50% of the vote in each of at least 64 of the 107 electoral districts (i.e. 60% of them.) This threshold was decided by the Ontario cabinet, despite the recommendation of the Select Committee that it require only 50% support in 71 of the 107 ridings.
The Students' Assembly
To complement the work on the Assembly, the provincial government provided financial support for the Students' Assembly on Electoral Reform. Composed of secondary students from across Ontario, it also concluded that Ontario should switch to the MMP (mixed member proportional) system. These findings were presented to the Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform on February 17, 2007.Referendum
The Assembly's recommendation was voted upon by Ontario voters in the referendumOntario electoral reform referendum, 2007
An Ontario electoral reform referendum was held on October 10, 2007, in an attempt to establish a mixed member proportional representation system for elections to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario...
held on October 10, 2007, at the same time as the provincial election
Ontario general election, 2007
The Ontario general election of 2007 was held on October 10, 2007 to elect members of the 39th Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, Canada. The Liberals under Dalton McGuinty won the election with a majority government, winning 71 out of a possible 107 seats with 42.2% of the popular...
. The proposal was rejected by 63% of voters, meaning the status quo will stand in Ontario for now. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ontariovotes2007/story/2007/10/10/mmp-referendum.html?ref=rss
By the end of the campaign, Assembly members were critical of both the media coverage of their work and of the $6.8 million educational campaign, directed by Elections Ontario.
"I'm very disappointed there's been a lack of meaningful debate," said Catherine Baquero, Assembly member for Beaches-East York.
"I'm disappointed that Elections Ontario's education campaign has been so toothless. What I expected was a more detailed discussion of the pros and cons of each system." http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=acbd6830-a01d-41b9-b9e1-de52f813176a
"There's an awful lack of understanding on the proposition. I think that's too bad. Elections Ontario isn't doing its job," added Rick Browridge, another Assembly member. "There's been no real attempt at a major public education campaign, and that's what was needed." http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ontariovotes2007/story/2007/10/08/elx-referendum.html
Significance
The Assembly process is premised on the idea that average citizens can come together to make good decisions on various policy issues by means of deliberatingDeliberative democracy
Deliberative democracy is a form of democracy in which public deliberation is central to legitimate lawmaking. It adopts elements of both consensus decision-making and majority rule. Deliberative democracy differs from traditional democratic theory in that authentic deliberation, not mere...
these issues. In particular, it is seen as a good method for studying electoral reform as politicians face a fundamental conflict of interest when it comes to evaluating the system that elects them.
The Ontario vote is considered crucial also by advocates of Canadian federal electoral reform
Electoral reform in Canada
There are numerous efforts underway for electoral reform in Canada at federal, provincial/territorial, and municipal levels. At present the most active are provincial...
because the adoption of proportional representation in Canada's most populous province would provide impetus for reform and practical Canadian evidence on how proportional systems respond to voters. The referendum results and the way the referendum process was conducted stand as a warning to future attempts at electoral reform.
External links
- Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform
- Students' Assembly on Electoral Reform
- Select Committee on Electoral Reform Report
- Government of Ontario - Democratic Renewal Secretariat
- Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform (British Columbia).
- Jonathan Rose, Queen's University
- J.H. Snider's Citizens' Assembly blog
- iSolon.org's clearinghouse of citizens assembly information