Casey deserves congratulations

The P.E.I. Coalition for Proportional Representation congratulates Sean Casey for supporting the motion to adopt the House of Commons Electoral Reform Special Committee Report (ERRE) -one of only two Liberals to do so. The committee was composed of MPs from all parties and recommended a national referendum be held on proportional representation. The Charlottetown MP gave this reason: that in the P.E.I. plebiscite on electoral reform last November, a large majority in his riding (2/3 of voters) indicated a preference for proportional representation. For Mr. Casey, the choice was clear: he was representing his constituents.

Three out of four Island MPs represent districts where the majority supported proportional representation, yet Mr. Casey was the only one to stand up and vote in favour of adopting the committee report. He should be applauded for this.

It should also be noted that P.E.I. was not the only province to express a desire for change. In every community the ERRE Committee visited, they heard overwhelmingly that people wanted change, and for most presenters that change included some form of proportional representation.

We challenge not only our Island MPs but also those across Canada to better reflect the will of their constituents and to stand up for what they know is right and just. It is time they were on the right side of democracy. Liberals who voted against the motion should be reminded that they voted to ignore a key promise on which they won their seats. Voters will remember this in 2019. Florence Larkin,

P.E.I. Coalition for Proportional Representation