Citizens' Assembly On Electoral Reform (Ontario) - The Assembly

The Assembly

Under chairperson George Thomson, the independent body of citizens met twice a month from September 9, 2006 (six weekends in the fall of 2006 and six from February 17 to April 29) to examine the current electoral system. Queen's University Associate Professor of Political Science, Jonathan Rose, led the Assembly in the Learning Phase in the fall of 2006. The Assembly also held public meetings across the province between November and January under the direction of Susan Pigott. After learning and consultation, they spent an additional six weekends deliberating on options and whether or not to change the current system.

The Assembly's work ended with the submission of their final report due on May 15, 2007, recommending a mixed member proportional system similar to that used in New Zealand. As a result of their recommendation, Ontario voters considered changing their electoral system in the referendum held on October 10, 2007, the date of the provincial election. The referendum result was binding if passed by 60% of the vote overall, and by 50% of the vote in each of at least 64 of the 107 electoral districts (i.e. 60% of them.) This threshold was decided by the Ontario cabinet, despite the recommendation of the Select Committee that it require only 50% support in 71 of the 107 ridings.