Troy Shantz
Sarnia-Lambton’s federal riding associations are teaming up to present information sessions on Canadian electoral reform.
The free public events are at Lambton College on Sept. 29, at 11:30 a.m. in room P111, and again at 7 p.m. in room A223.
A third event is being held at the Lochiel Kiwanis Centre on Sept. 27, at 9:30 a.m., organized by the Golden K Kiwanis.
The meetings will include presentations on Canada’s electoral system. A Parliamentary committee has been charged with examining alternatives to the current first-past-the-post system, as well as mandatory voting and online voting.
The goal of the college forums is to get people to engage in a non-partisan way, said Bob Sutton, a member of the Sarnia Lambton Inter-Party Electoral Reform Committee.
“Our effort is to enable people to see that local parties can actually cooperate to provide good information. They don’t always have to bicker about differences. They can share some pretty common information and demonstrate that their first responsibility is to the people in their community.”
Sarnia-Lambton MP Marilyn Gladu has organized five town hall meetings in the riding to discuss electoral reform.
Sutton made it clear the additional sessions aren’t meant replace those of Gladu’s but to expand the conversation.
“Our highest priority is to begin that pattern of real engagement.”
To learn more about the Electoral Reform Committee visit http://www.parl.gc.ca/Committees/en/ERRE