Wellington-Halton Hills MP Michael Chong introduced a private members’ bill on Tuesday aimed at giving local constituencies more control over their representative in Parliament.
“It’s the people of Wellington who want a Parliament that’s accountable,” Chong said of the bill introduced on Dec. 3.
In a media release he stated, “The Reform Act puts forward three simple reforms to strengthen Parliament by proposing to restore local control over party nominations, strengthen caucus as a decision-making body and reinforce accountability of party leaders to caucuses.
“These three reforms will empower MPs and give them the tools they need to represent their constituents in Ottawa.”
The main focus of the bill is to change the way local candidates are chosen in federal elections.
Chong said many voters are unaware local candidates are approved by the party leader before they can stand for election. His bill aims to change that.
The Canada Elections Act effectively gives a party leader authority over the selection of a candidate by an electoral district association.
To be allowed to represent a constituency a prospective candidate must submit to the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada proof a party leader has endorsed his or her candidacy. Only after this proof has been submitted, can the Chief Electoral Officer approve the nomination as a candidate for an election for a party.
Chong said the current requirement was brought in after the Canada Elections Act was amended in 1970 and took decision-making for a candidate out of local control.
“My bill proposes to change control of who gets to campaign,” Chong told the Advertiser in a telephone interview from his Ottawa office. “They (regulations contained in the proposed bill) will make MPs more empowered. What it will do is return local control over party nominations”
The MP said his private members’ bill is not a “reflection” on the current Parliament or party leaders.
“This bill is about future parliaments,” said Chong.
The bill has to go through two readings in Parliament and receive majority support before going on to the Senate for a similar process.
Chong is confident the bill will receive cross-party support and was expected to discuss it with his Conservative colleagues last Wednesday in a bid to move it forward.
“I think there’s considerable support among Conservatives,” he added. “I’m optimistic the bill will receive multi-party support.”
“The prime minister has my confidence to carry out the mandate Canadians gave Conservatives in (the last election).”
Chong has also been pushing a bill to reform Question Period that would allow MPs to ask questions without being censored by party leadership.
That bill received parliamentary support, but was halted when the last election was called.
“It’s on the order paper,” he said.
The current procedure does not allow for members to bring up issues that impact their individual constituents.
Chong has earlier commented on concerns he raised about a mega quarry planned near Shelburne that he felt should have been raised in the House of Commons. The quarry was eventually abandoned by investors due to public outcry.
Chong has long been an advocate for the rights of MPs and believes passing of his members’ bill will encourage more voters to go to the polls.
“The consistent downward trend in voter engagement tells us that there is a serious disconnect between Canadians and their elected Parliament,” Chong said in his media release.
“I’m optimistic that these reforms will reconnect Canadians and their Parliament by strengthening the role of their local elected member.”
If passed the bill would come into effect after the next federal election.
