The Ontario government is proposing a new reform that will supposedly “strengthen and increase public trust” in Ontario’s electoral system.
The goal of this reform is to completely remove the American-style fixed election dates.
“The proposed reforms will return Ontario to an electoral process that served our province well for nearly a century and a half, prior to the imposition of American-style fixed election dates.” Said General Doug Downey.
If the reforms were to take place, the election dates would be determined by Lieutenant Governor on the advice of the premier which was originally the traditional case for Ontario. The province will still be subject to the 5-year limit between elections.
On top of that reform, Ontario also announced another reform that would increase the amount that someone is allowed to contribute to a political party from $3,400 to $5,000. As well as eliminating pre-writ spending limits for third party and political parties.
Terence Kernaghan From the NDP Says: “rules and safeguards are put int place to stop this kind of political manipulation, fixed election dates protect voters, not politicians and for ford to change the rules to benefit himself is the definition of a power grab.”
The government is also considering banning political advertising on government property such as buildings, billboards, transit stations, etc…
