Part 5: Citizen Decision-Making

After an appropriate period of public information, education, consultation and deliberation, the process should move to the decision-making phase. Based on the input from the deliberation process, the commission/assembly would make a final decision on the two alternative voting systems to be put to voters in the first referendum.

As a national referendum requires enabling legislation, the following assumes the federal government passed the necessary legislation when initiating the civic deliberation process. It is also assumed that the enabling legislation will make the results of the referendum process binding upon the federal government.

5.1 First Referendum

The commission/assembly should follow the New Zealand model by developing a two-stage referendum process. The first referendum would have two questions.

The first question would ascertain if voters, after the public deliberation period, were in favour of moving forward with a final referendum to change the voting system. The question might be worded in this manner:

The Government of Canada should proceed with holding a binding referendum in which Canadians would choose the best voting system for use in future federal elections.

The second question would identify two alternative voting systems, as identified by the commission/assembly. The alternatives would be very briefly described on the referendum ballot. Voters would indicate which of the two they most prefer.

Elections Canada would assume the role of making Canadians aware of the referendum and providing neutral and objective plain language information on the issues.

5.2 Second Referendum

If voters supported continuing the process, the second referendum would be scheduled within six to eight months of the first referendum (or in conjunction with a federal election, if that was expected in the near future). Voters would then choose whether to maintain the status quo or adopt the new voting system.

With the final referendum scheduled, the public debate would be easily sustained by electoral reform groups, other interest groups, engaged citizens and political parties. The process should continue in a manner where all citizens have ready access to all points of view. Elections Canada would publicize the referendum and continue to provide information on the issues and alternatives.

The result of the final referendum would conclude the civic engagement process.