Niagara Group Hosting Public Meeting – Wednesday, January 11th – On Federal Election Reform

An Invite to All from the Niagara District Council of Women

Posted January 5th, 2017 on Niagara At Large

St. Catharines/Niagara, Ontario – In anticipation of a land-mark decision by Canada’s federal government decision on , if or how, it will keep its promise that 2019 will   see the end of “ first-past-the post” election system, on Wednesday January 11^th, the Niagara District Council of Women is hosting a public meeting on Wednesday January 11^th at 7:30 p.m. on  electoral reform.

The public meeting – free of charge and open to all – will feature guest speakers  Brock Political Science Professor David Siegel and community activist, and “proportional representation” advocate, Linda Babb.

From current media reports, the government seems uncertain about its direction, with the Prime Minister quoted as saying that the public seems to have “lost interest” in the issue, even as advocates such as Linda Babb, say there is overwhelming support for a dramatic change to a proportional representation system, so that everyone’s vote counts. And recently, there are signs that the public may be taking part in a national referendum.

In this case, Canadians are facing an important decision, and there are lots of questions to ask, the main one according to Dr. Siegel is , “ Should we keep the method of election that has served us well for 150 years? Or should we replace an old system that has not been changed since Queen Victoria’s time?”

Whatever happens in the months ahead, both speakers feel members of the public need to inform themselves about the options, are pleased to add to this important dialogue at such a crucial time of change, and are looking forward to, as Doctor Siegel puts it, “a vigorous debate about changing the electoral system.”.

The public is  invited to attend this important meeting at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday January 11^th in the Mills Memorial Room , at St. Catharines Centennial Library 54 Church Street in downtown St. Catharines, Ontario.

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 “A politician thinks of the next election. A leader thinks of the next generation.” – Bernie Sanders