Establish national citizens' assembly
Petitioners ask Parliament to create a National Citizens’ Assembly on electoral reform, require it finish within 12 months, and adopt its recommendations before the next election. The government responds that reforms need broad public support.
Why we would sign this petition
- Gives citizens a direct, representative forum to study electoral options and build consensus free from partisan control.
- Requires a 12‑month deadline so recommendations can be prepared and potentially enacted before the next federal vote.
- Could increase democratic legitimacy by producing reforms backed by a representative cross‑section of Canadians.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Major electoral reform may need broader public and political consensus than a single assembly can secure.
- A 12‑month timetable risks rushing complex technical and legislative work, limiting thorough scrutiny.
- Committing to adopt recommendations before the next election could politicize or compress implementation amid other government priorities.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED Whereas: An Angus Reid poll conducted in September found that: 85% of respondents supported a Citizens' Assembly to deliberate on electoral reform; 79% agreed that a National Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform be formed after the 2019 federal election regardless of which party formed government; 90% agreed that parties should cooperate; and 80% agreed that parliament should reflect how people voted; The distorted results from the recent federal election clearly illustrate the need for electoral reform; An Angus Reid poll in November found consensus support for proportional representation from a majority of voters in every province, all age groups and all major political parties; Citizens' Assemblies have been used successfully in Canada, Australia, Belgium, France, Ireland, Scotland and the U.K. to tackle difficult issues; and A National Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform would: give citizens a leadership role in determining electoral reform for Canada; provide meaningful deliberation on electoral reform by a representative group of citizens free from partisan influence and interests; build consensus for any recommended changes to our electoral system; and need to be established as soon as possible to allow time for their recommendations to be adopted before the next federal election. We, the undersigned citizens and residents of Canada call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to: Establish a National Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform; Require the Citizens' Assembly to complete its work within 12 months; and Adopt any recommended changes to our electoral system before the next federal election.
Government response
Response by the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Kevin Lamoureux The Government of Canada is committed to strengthening Canada’s democratic institutions. Our electoral system (i.e., the fundamental rules determining how votes are translated into seats in the House of Commons) is one of the most foundational pieces of our democracy. Among many things, it provides Canadians with a direct connection to their Members of Parliament (MP), who must work with each other in developing national policy and making political decisions, while engaging and remaining accountable to their constituents. Canada’s electoral system is not perfect – no system is - but it has served our country well - with its unique identity, history and geography - for over 150 years, and continues to advance the core democratic values that Canadians want reflected in their system of government. This includes strong local representation, stability and accountability. How Canadians vote and how we govern ourselves is fundamentally important and impacts us all. Given this, any major reforms to the electoral system should not be considered without the broadest of support from Canadians. Moreover, during the 45th general election in 2025, Canadians made their priorities for this Government very clear by voting in record numbers. Close to 20 million Canadians cast a ballot, with a voter turnout rate of over 69%, the highest it has been in more than thirty years. In casting their ballots, Canadians gave the Government a clear mandate to prioritize a new economic and security relationship with the United States, build the strongest economy in the G7, reduce the cost of living and keep communities safe. Working closely with Parliamentarians, provinces, territories, and Indigenous Peoples, these are the areas in which the Government will focus its efforts. In a healthy democracy, there is always more work to do, but Canadians have many reasons to be proud of their electoral system. The Government of Canada will continue to work to strengthen and protect our democratic practices and institutions to ensure they remain true to Canadian values.