Mandatory by-elections for MPs
Petitioners ask Canada to pass legislation requiring any MP who leaves the party under which they were elected to resign and seek a by-election before serving for a different party or as an independent.
Why we would sign this petition
- It forces MPs who change affiliation to obtain explicit voter approval, preserving electoral accountability.
- It may strengthen public trust by reducing perceptions of opportunism or bargaining by elected representatives.
- It creates a clear, enforceable rule on party-switching, making remedies straightforward when affiliation changes.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- It restricts MPs' ability to act on conscience, policy disagreements, or local interests without risking their seat.
- Requiring by-elections for every switch could produce frequent, costly elections and parliamentary instability.
- It raises legal and practical questions about party mergers, expulsions, or principled switches, risking unintended consequences.
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 Canadians vote in federal elections based largely on party platforms and political affiliation; When a Member of Parliament changes party affiliation after being elected, the result may not reflect the choice made by voters; and This practice can undermine public trust in the democratic process and electoral accountability. We, the undersigned, citizens and residents of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to introduce legislation requiring that any Member of Parliament who leaves the political party under which they were elected must resign their seat and seek a renewed mandate through a by-election before continuing to serve under a different party affiliation or as an independent.
Government response
No government response is available yet.