Wellington-Halton Hills MP Michael Chong calls the June 22 passage of the Reform Act a “big victory for Canadians.”
The Wellington Advertiser spoke briefly with Chong on the telephone just prior to his departure for Rideau Hall to witness signing of the document on June 23 at 4pm.
Chong also considers passage of the Reform Act a first step in the right direction for reform and renewal of the Canadian Parliament.
On June 22, the Senate of Canada passed the Reform Act, 2014 by a 38-14 margin. It will come into force seven days after the next general election.
Chong said he appreciated the support of both the Senate and the House of Commons, which to him demonstrates there is support to reform and renew Parliament.
He also considered passage of the act significant because “this is the first time in 45 years the party leader is no longer required by law to approve candidates.”
Originally, the bill proposed the local riding associations would have final approval of candidates, Chong noted, but that aspect is no longer in the document.
“I believe MPs are more empowered and this will allow members of parliament to better represent their constituents and be able to break ranks on issues without the fear of repercussions such as being expelled,” Chong said of the document he first introduced as a private member’s bill in December 2013.
He explained there is currently a heavy whip system at Parliament because the party leader has the unilateral power to expel individuals from Parliament and the party.
“[The Reform Act] rebuilds the balance of power and will profoundly change the power structure,” Chong said, adding it has been a hard-fought battle over the past 19 months to ensure passage of Act.
“It was a significant challenge,” Chong said as he thanked residents of Wellington County who reached out to both MPs and Senate members.
“When this was introduced 19 months ago, this was considered a long shot. Now it is a long shot which has become law.”
Chong noted the Reform Act has had the support of Canadians from all political parties and from all walks of life.
“While Parliament is very old and at times very archaic, it has proven itself capable of reform and renewal,” Chong said.
In a press release issued on Tuesday, Chong called passage of the Reform Act “a victory for democracy,” adding “Canadians spoke up by the tens of thousands and MPs responded by voting for the bill.”
The Reform Act was first introduced in December 2013 and after several amendments, was overwhelmingly passed in the House of Commons by a 260-17 vote on Feb. 25, 2015.
The Reform Act makes amendments to the Parliament of Canada Act and the Canada Elections Act and will remove the statutory requirement, in place since 1970, which mandates that leaders approve party candidates.
It will also allow MPs to decide whether the leader or caucus can expel MPs from caucus and how the caucus chair is selected. In addition, it will allow MPs to choose an interim leader, in the event of the leader’s sudden resignation, incapacity or death.
Finally, it will allow MPs to formalize the rules to review and remove party leaders, “creating a more orderly process than the chaos that can ensue when a caucus loses confidence in its leader,” Chong stated in a press release.
“The Reform Act addresses a long-standing problem in Ottawa: the concentration of power in party leaders, including the prime minister. It will give individual members of parliament more power to represent their constituents and Canadians,” Chong said.
“I would like to thank my colleagues in the House of Commons and in the Senate who supported this bill. In particular, I would like to thank MP James Rajotte, who seconded the bill in the Commons, and Senator Scott Tannas, who sponsored the bill in the Senate,” Chong said in a statement.
“Most of all, I would like to thank the tens of thousands of Canadians who contacted their local MP and Senators to voice their support for these reforms. Without their support, this bill would never have become law.”
Chong added “The road to success was long and hard. The Reform Act was introduced … to a wide range of support and critiques.
“After receiving much feedback from colleagues and Canadians, a second version of the bill was introduced in April 2014.
“Further amendments were made to this second version while the bill was in committee, incorporating suggestions made by MPs from the various parties in the House of Commons.
“Few private members’ bills have been subjected to as much scrutiny and debate as the Reform Act. However, the multiparty support garnered by the bill proves that parliament can enact serious and significant reform of how it does the people’s business.”
Chong continued, “The Reform Act will reinforce the principle of responsible government in the House of Commons, making the executive more accountable to the legislature and ensure that party leaders, including the prime minister, are more accountable to party caucuses …
“Finally, it will allow MPs to formalize the rules to review and remove party leaders, thereby enhancing the democratic accountability and oversight of party caucuses and, by extension, party leaders.”
One of the concessions included in the revised act is that all elements of the bill are subject to a vote after each election by each party’s caucus, which can either adopt the new rules, modify them, or go with the status quo.
“During the next election, I encourage Canadians to ask their candidates if they plan to vote for these measures that will empower MPs to represent the interests of their constituents,” Chong said.
