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The recent introduction by the Trudeau government of Bill C-76 that is meant to overhaul Canada’s Election Act raises the question: Is a belated commitment to improving electoral democracy better than no commitment at all? The answer has to be yes, of course. However, the Liberals have been conspicuously ambivalent and lukewarm on electoral reform during their time in office.

Now they are pushing Parliament to pass a bill so a new voting process can be in place for the October 2019 federal election. With so little time to execute any new legislation, cynics initially suggested that Bill C-76 might be a symbolic gesture intended to refurbish the tarnished credentials of a Liberal party that once championed stronger electoral democracy.

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Since then, the government co-operated with the NDP to limit debate at the second reading as the bill went to committee for detailed review, after which it must be passed by the Commons. It then must pass the Senate, and that may not happen before the end of the summer. Meanwhile, Elections Canada must plan for the next election on the assumption that the current bill will pass.