Conservatives shut down debate on Unfair Elections Act

In a mockery of Canada’s democracy, the Conservatives shut down the study of the Unfair Elections Act with half of the NDP’s common-sense amendments still to be debated.

“In good faith, the NDP proposed close to 100 ways to improve this widely-denounced bill but the Conservatives again let their ideology undermine what’s best for Canada,” said NDP Democratic Reform critic Craig Scott (Toronto – Danforth). “New Democrats will continue to defend every Canadian’s right to vote.”

The Conservatives rejected NDP amendments that would have given investigators the tools they need to crack down on electoral fraud, maintained Elections Canada’s independence from government, and restored the authority of the Chief Electoral Officer to encourage all Canadians to vote.

“The Conservatives are weakening our democracy and it’s Canadians who will suffer,” said NDP Democratic Reform deputy critic Alexandrine Latendresse (Louis-Saint- Laurent). “We are disappointed that the Conservatives have such contempt for Canadian voters.”