FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 24, 2006
McGuinty opposes
change of electoral system by setting referendum threshold
at 60 per cent
TORONTO – The Liberal
government of Dalton McGuinty has taken a strong stand
against allowing Ontario voters to change their electoral
system, the Ontario Public Service Employees Union says.
“By proposing a 60 per cent
vote threshold to change the province’s electoral system,
Dalton McGuinty is taking a strong stand in favour of the
status quo,” said OPSEU president Leah Casselman.
“Democratic rule means rule by the majority, and the
majority means 50 per cent plus one. That’s the only
acceptable threshold.”
Today in the Legislature, the
Liberals tabled a new Bill that will require 60 per cent of
Ontario voters to vote in favour of changes to the way the
province elects MPPs.
The Citizen’s Assembly on
Electoral Reform, selected at random, is to report to the
government by May 15, 2007. Most observers expect the
Assembly will propose a new voting system rather than the
status quo.
“In the last election, the
McGuinty Liberals won 46 per cent of the popular vote. Under
our skewed system, they were rewarded with 70 per cent of
the seats in the Legislature. Now they want their phony
majority to vote in favour of a system that is heavily
skewed in favour of leaving things as they are.
“We don’t accept this, and we
will fight it.”
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For more information:
Randy Robinson (416)
448-7441; (416) 788-9134 (cell)
