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Research Paper

Citizen Engagement in Voting System Reform:
a plan for 21st century democratic renewal in Canada

Larry Gordon
July 2002

Print Document (PDF, 139K)

This paper was prepared for the Law Commission of Canada under the title “Citizen Engagement in Voting System Reform: a plan for 21st century democratic renewal in Canada." The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Commission. The accuracy of the information contained in the paper is the sole responsibility of the author.

Introduction


Executive Summary

Part 1: The Urgent Need for Citizen Engagement

- 1.1 Pivotal Role of the Voting System

- 1.2 Electoral Reform Emerging as a Political Issue

- 1.3 Civic Institutions Beginning to Engage

- 1.4 Democratic Renewal in the 21st Century

- 2.1 Fact-Finding and Recommendations

- 2.2 Citizen Learning and Deliberation

- 2.3 Two-Stage Referendum

Part 3: Laying the Foundation

- 3.1 Getting Started

- 3.2 Leadership Body: Royal Commission or Citizens’ Assembly?

- 3.3 Roles of Other Agencies and Institutions

- 3.4 Criteria for Review and Assessment

- 3.5 Fact-Finding

Part 4: Civic Deliberation

- 4.1 Plain Language Information

- 4.2 Media Partnership Development

- 4.3 Consultation and Partnership with Civil Society Organizations

- 4.4 Public Forums and Direct Citizen Engagement

- 4.5 Electronically Assisted Town Hall Meeting

- 4.6 Deliberative Polling

Part 5: Citizen Decision-Making

- 5.1 First Referendum

- 5.2 Second Referendum

Appendix: Time Frame for the Proposed Process