Establish national citizens' assembly
Petitioners ask Parliament to establish a national citizens' assembly on electoral reform, complete it in 12 months, and adopt its recommendations before the next federal election. The government responds that reforms require broad public support.
Why we would sign this petition
- It would create a representative, non‑partisan forum for detailed public deliberation on electoral reform, increasing legitimacy for any proposed changes.
- A citizens' assembly with a 12‑month deadline could produce concrete recommendations in time to be considered before the next federal election, enabling timely action.
- Petitioners cite polls showing broad, cross‑party and provincial support for electoral reform, suggesting public backing that could sustain change.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Adopting major electoral changes before the next election may be impractical given the time needed for legislation, implementation and public debate.
- The government argues major reforms should have the broadest national support; an assembly's recommendations might not secure the political consensus required.
- Electoral system changes can trade off local representation, stability and accountability, so some may prefer more limited or gradual reforms.
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 Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons Signed by Kevin Lamoureux The Government of Canada remains committed to strengthening Canada’s democratic institutions. Our electoral system (such as 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, 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 the Government very clear by voting in record numbers. Close to 20 million Canadians cast a ballot, with a voter turnout rate of over 69 percent, the highest it has been in more than thirty years. In casting their ballots, Canadians gave this 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.