Law Commission report on electoral reform

Proportional representation for Canada, with a mixed member proportional system (MMP) is the main recommendation of the Law Commission of Canada, in a 2004 report, "Voting Counts."

There are 23 recommendations in total (see PDF), chief of which are for:

• A mixed member proportional system (MMP), with two thirds of the MPs elected as usual with first-past-the-post, one third from provincial or territorial lists;
• Voters would have two votes: one for the usual riding MP, one for the list; voters should have the option of voting for the list provided by the parties, or indicate a preference among candidates on the list.
• Several recommendations require the parties to promote equal representation let of women, and greater representation of minorities and youth.
• Consultation with First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples is recommended to promote greater aboriginal representation.
• After draft legislation is drawn up, there should be broad public consultation, with the possibility of a referendum.

The full report, together with rationale for the recommendations, and lots of background on MMP's use in other countries, is available online at http://publications.gc.ca/collections/Collection/J31-61-2004E.pdf

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