NDP statement on the Prime Minister’s misleading remarks on electoral reform

NDP Democratic Reform Critics Nathan Cullen and Alexandre Boulerice issued the following statement:

“Once again, the Prime Minister is misleading Canadians on electoral reform. Let’s be clear, during the last election, which was supposed to be the last held under first past the post, two thirds of Canadians voted for a party that was promising electoral reform. This was a clear promise in the Liberal platform, and Justin Trudeau repeated it hundreds of times.

The choice to abandon electoral reform was one of the most cynical decisions made by this Prime Minister. Canadians have every reason to feel betrayed. When 90% of experts and 80% of Canadians asked the government to adopt a proportional system, the Prime Minister does not have the right to say he broke his promise because he wanted to ‘focus on the things that actually matter’.

Additionally, the old argument about a proportional system being ‘dangerous’ is disingenuous and has been refuted several times. Trying to make Canadians believe that proportional representation is a threat to our country and our democracy is absurd.

Justin Trudeau’s statements are arrogant and intentionally misleading: the Liberals decided to maintain the current system because it benefits them, period. In short, the Prime Minister deliberately broke the promise he made to Canadians and he is now, somehow, trying to make people forget it by spreading misinformation.”