QUEBEC ELECTION REFORM: THE PQ, CAQ, QS, AND PV COMMIT TO ACT TOGETHER
WHEREAS the work that has brought us together since spring 2016 under the auspices of the New Democracy Movement.
WHEREAS the promise made by all political parties in the 2003 general election, following the Estates General on the Reform of Democratic Institutions, to abandon the first-past-the-post system because of the democratic shortcomings it creates regarding equitable citizen representation.
WHEREAS our agreement on the six basic principles to guide the choice of the electoral system to replace the current voting method:
To reflect as closely as possible the popular vote of all Quebecers.
To ensure a meaningful link between voters and elected officials.
To aim for respect for the political weight of the regions
Promote government stability through measures governing motions of censure.
Offer a system that is accessible in its operation and understanding.
Contribute to better representation of women, youth, and ethnocultural communities.
WHEREAS we have concluded that, starting with the 43rd legislature, the members of the National Assembly of Quebec should be elected using a voting method similar to that studied and endorsed by the Chief Electoral Officer of Quebec (DGEQ) in his December 2007 opinion, which had been mandated to study the draft bill tabled in the National Assembly in 2004 and extensively examined by a special parliamentary committee
WHEREAS the question of electoral reform has been in the public debate in Quebec since 1902 and, given all the studies conducted over the past 50 years, and especially since the 1998 general election, it is time to move from words to action.
WHEREAS the citizens of Quebec have the right to a truly representative National Assembly, founded on genuine equality of all votes.
WHEREAS the only way to change the electoral system in Quebec is to unite around principles and a widely shared political proposal
We, the Parti Québécois, the Coalition Avenir Québec, Québec solidaire, and the Green Party of Quebec, despite our differences:
WE COMMIT to working together, based on the six principles mentioned in the preceding statements, to present, for the next general election in 2018, the joint proposal most likely to garner the support of a majority of the population, namely, mixed-member proportional representation with regional lists.
WE ALSO COMMIT, based on the overall support received from the majority of the population, to working to consolidate citizens’ understanding of this issue and to create the broadest and strongest possible popular support.
WE COMMIT to tabling a bill to this effect no later than October 1, 2019.
Finally, WE ASK the Liberal Party of Quebec to join our alliance on this fundamental issue for the quality and strengthening of our representative democracy.
JEAN-FRANÇOIS LISÉE, PARTI QUÉBÉCOIS
FRANÇOIS LEGAULT, COALITION AVENIR QUÉBEC
MANON MASSÉ, P. QUÉBEC SOLIDAIRE
ALEX TYRRELL, PARTI VERT DU QUÉBEC
