For immediate release

NDP chooses leader committed to proportional representation
Will seek mandate for electoral reform in next election

Fair Vote Canada (FVC) congratulates Thomas Mulcair, a proponent of proportional representation, on winning the leadership of the federal New Democratic Party.

“The majority of Canadians (68%) want electoral reform, so we all benefit when a leader is chosen who has made a commitment to bring a fair and proportional voting system to Canada” says Fair Vote Canada president Shoni Field.

Mulcair has said that moving to a mixed-member proportional system will be a fundamental plank of the New Democratic Party’s platform next election: “Canadians are well aware of the pitfalls of our electoral system. They agree with us that change is needed. When we get elected, we will get elected with a strong mandate to address those shortcomings. If needed, we will cooperate with other parties in the House of Commons and the Senate in order to make electoral reform a reality.”

“We were pleased to hear all the candidates speaking out about proportional representation during their campaigns” said FVC Executive Director Wayne Smith. “Canadians shouldn’t forget that many of the shortcomings of our current politics, from dropping turnout, to under-representation of women and minorities and even the recent alleged electoral fraud, trace their roots to our antiquated winner-take-all voting system.”

“For voters, electoral reform is going to be a key issue in the next federal election”, says Field. “Therefore, it’s important that our leaders and political parties are very transparent about their intentions so that Canadians can make an informed choice”.

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Contact:

Shoni Field, President
604-720-0541
shoni.field@fairvote.ca

Wayne Smith, Executive Director
416-407-7009
wayne.smith@fairvote.ca

http://FairVote.Ca