Shifting gears

Coalition for proportional representation disbanding over ‘repressive rules’

The P.E.I. Coalition for Proportional Representation is calling foul over the province’s upcoming referendum on electoral reform. The coalition announced Monday it will disband effective Thursday as a response to “repressive rules’’ in the Electoral Systems Referendum Act. Coalition spokesman Leo Cheverie says the rules are “clearly intended to limit our work to inform and engage Islanders about the benefits of proportional representation.’’

The coalition states it has always welcomed participation, engagement and collaboration with any supporter of proportional representation regardless of party affiliation.

“Sadly, it is now clear that within the current political climate we are now viewed in an unnecessarily adversarial and hostile way,’’ says Cheverie. “The Referendum Act introduced by the Liberal caucus would place limits on who can work together for electoral reform. The coalition would rather disband than forcibly exclude founding, committed members of the team we built.’’

He added even if Bill 38 is amended or fails to pass, the coalition believes that the most effective structure for achieving proportional representation on P.E.I. is through a broad-based, decentralized citizen network. “We are convinced that to see proportional representation become reality, it will be more effective for our 12-member organizations and our hundreds of supporters to work independently, rather than under the single banner of the coalition,’’ said Cheverie.