Liberals Back Down on Electoral Reform

The Liberal government has done the right thing and has decided to give up its majority on the electoral reform committee. It's a pretty big concession that responds to the main criticisms of the opposition parties.

The Trudeau government has given up control over the process that will determine how best to change the way Canadians vote, hoping to dispel perceptions that it’s trying to rig the electoral system to benefit the ruling Liberal party.

Democratic Institutions Minister Maryam Monsef announced two major concessions Thursday.

The Liberals will give up their majority on the all-party committee that is to explore alternatives to the current first-past-the-post voting system.

And Monsef also opened the door to an eventual referendum, leaving it up to the committee to advise on the best way to consult Canadians on whatever alternative voting system it winds up recommending.

I worry that these changes might lead to a referendum result in which the voting public succumbs to a natural resistance to change. We saw that in British Columbia. People feeling insecure about the effect of change can choose to stick with what they know, first past the post, flaws and all.