(OTTAWA) August 5, 2016 – Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau should be applauded for his commitment to electoral reform, says James Shaw, Co-Leader of the Green Party of New Zealand (MP).
“For more than two decades, New Zealand’s electoral system has created stable, more democratic governments that fairly reflect the way citizens vote," said Mr. Shaw, who is visiting Ottawa as the keynote speaker at the Green Party of Canada’s biennial Convention this weekend.
“Canada's Parliament now has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to do the same and make every vote count. I applaud Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for committing to make 2015 the last election held under an antiquated winner-take-all system.”
Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada (MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands), said: "I am grateful to have James Shaw's perspective as a parliamentarian serving in a country with a governance structure very much like Canada's – a Constitutional monarchy, with Westminster parliamentary democracy, within the Commonwealth. The only significant parliamentary difference is that NZ eliminated its Upper House. Proportional Representation as a voting system works in New Zealand, and it will work for Canada."
The Green Party of Canada’s biennial Convention will be held Aug. 5-7 at the Delta Hotels City Centre in Ottawa, ON. Find a detailed agenda here.
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