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Renewing Democracy : Debating Electoral Reform in Canada

Canada prides itself on being a healthy and vibrant democracy. But we cannot be complacent: democracy requires constant tending. As society changes, Canadians must reflect on the quality of their democratic institutions and ask whether they continue to serve them well. Do we live in the democracy we want? Does it reflect our contemporary needs and values? Can we improve upon the practices of our democratic institutions?

An important barometer of the health of governance relationships is the nature and quality of citizens’ participation in their democratic institutions. Several commentators have noted a decrease in voter turnout and a general disengagement of the citizenry from traditional political institutions. This has led some Canadians to raise questions about the electoral system. Does the act of voting continue to have the same significance for Canadians? Is it possible to remedy the democratic malaise that has come to characterize the Canadian political landscape? Should we take a critical look at some of our traditional democratic institutions? Does our voting system continue to respond to our needs and our values?

The Law Commission of Canada is an independent, federal agency whose mandate is to systematically study law and legal institutions and to propose changes. This discussion paper on Electoral Reform is part of a project on Reform of Democratic Institutions, under the Law Commission’s larger program aimed at examining Governance Relationships.

This Discussion Paper was prepared for the Law Commission of Canada by Steven Bittle. We are most appreciative of his efforts.

This discussion paper is aimed at engaging Canadians in the debate about possible reforms to their democratic institutions, with particular emphasis on the electoral system. It asks the question, does Canada’s electoral system still meet Canadians’ democratic aspirations? If not, should Canadians consider an alternative system? The Law Commission encourages all Canadians to join in the discussion by writing, e-mailing or calling the Commission with their comments:

By mail: Law Commission of Canada
1100-473 Albert Street
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada K1A 0H8

By telephone: (613) 946-8980

By fax: (613) 946-8988

E-mail: electoral-reform@lcc.gc.ca