For Immediate Release May 15, 2007

“A Package of Democratic Reform Takes Shape
on Parliament Hill,” says Komarnicki

Ottawa (May 15, 2007)-- Ed Komarnicki, M.P., Souris- Moose Mountain

“We continue to work at strengthening accountability by introducing new democratic reform legislation that has popular support and that address a number of reforms that the public has requested,” said Komarnicki.

Expanded Voting Opportunities Bill
This Bill adds two advance polling days, one on Sunday, the eighth day before Election Day at regular advance polling stations, and another on Sunday, the day before Election Day, in all polls from noon to 8pm. This should provide Canadians ample opportunities to vote where school, work, or family commitments make it difficult to vote on Election Day.

Democratic Representation Bill
This new law would correct the significant under-representation of some provinces in the House of Commons by increasing the number of seats in those provinces while at the same time protecting the seat counts of provinces with slower growing populations. Saskatchewan continues its swing to over representation and so we need to grow our province to change that trend. “We need to grow Saskatchewan and there is no question about that,” said Komarnicki. In the next redistribution, based on projected population figures, the faster growing provinces of Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia would receive more seats than they would otherwise receive under the existing formula. Ontario would receive 6 additional seats, while Western Canada would receive 9 additional seats, 4 in Alberta and 5 in British Columbia.

A Bill Abolishing Large Political Loans from Wealthy Individuals
With the new political loans legislation, the Government is moving forward to enhance accountability by eliminating the influence of big money in the political process. The legislation will end the practice of political parties, riding associations and candidates using loans from wealthy individuals to evade contribution limits, mandate public disclosure of all loans and require that larger loans only be made by financial institutions and other political entities at commercial rates of interest. These proposed rules follow a Liberal leadership race which saw candidates accept over $3 million in loans. Opposition Leader, Stéphane Dion, was lent almost half a million dollars from a handful of wealthy individuals with no guarantee that they needed to be repaid.

Fixed Senate Terms Bill
The Liberal dominated Senate continues to block passage of a Bill that would fix Senate terms to 8 years from the current term of life to age 75.

Election of Senators for Appointment Bill
This Bill provides a process for candidates seeking Senate appointment and sets the rules for the counting of votes pursuant to a preferential system which takes into account the first and subsequent preferences. It also provides for holding of consultation with electors on their preference for appointments to the Senate.

Fixed Election Dates Bill
The Government’s law on fixed election dates recently received Royal Assent. With this legislation, subject to an earlier dissolution of Parliament, a general election must be held on the third Monday in October in the fourth calendar year following polling day for the last general election, with the first general election being held on Monday, October 19, 2009. Given the minority Parliament status, the opposition could still force a non-confidence vote.

“These are all initiatives that change the status quo with a view of positive democratic reforms advocated by many for a long time,” said Komarnicki.