MP Stetski announces ‘democratic reform’ tour

Kootenay–Columbia MP Wayne Stetski will be meeting with constituents when he tours the region in August on what he’s billing as his “Summer Democratic Reform’ tour.

Stetski will make 14 stops in the region, including in Revelstoke on Aug. 18, where he’ll meet with constituents between 2–3 p.m. at Conversations Coffee House on Mackenzie Avenue.

“In the last two federal elections, parties that only received 39% of the vote formed a majority government with 100% of the power — this is not a fair system” Stetski said in a media release.  “The current government has promised to make changes, but those changes need to reflect the desires of Canadians across the country, not just the interests of the party in power.  It is important for me to hear from the people of Kootenay-Columbia on this important issue, so I can take your views back to Ottawa.”

“Canada has been using its current electoral system since before the invention of the automobile, and there is a broad consensus that changes need to be made” Stetski said. “I encourage everyone across our region to join me and be a part of this important conversation about strengthening our democracy.”

Prior to the 2015 federal election, now prime minister Justin Trudeau promised that election would be the final first-past-the-post election, and in May, a parliamentary committee was formed to explore electoral reform. What the committee will recommend remains to be seen, but proportional representation or preferential balloting are two more prominent candidates.