ESQUIMALT – Green Party of Canada leader Elizabeth May has announced that David Merner, nominated Green candidate in Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke, will join the party’s shadow cabinet with responsibility for Democratic Reform.

“David Merner will be a strong voice for the Green Party’s democratic reform policies, including the urgent need to abandon the outdated and undemocratic first-past-the-post electoral system,” said Ms. May.

“When Justin Trudeau broke his promise that 2015 would be the last federal election under a first-past-the-post voting system,” said Mr. Merner “he broke faith with hundreds of thousands of democratic reform advocates across Canada.”

“Thanks to the referendum now under way in British Columbia, we have a chance to make our politicians more accountable by voting for proportional representation.”

Mr. Merner said that most of the world’s advanced democracies use some form of proportional representation. On many key measures, these countries outperform the winner-take-all democracies, including better representation of women and marginalized groups, higher satisfaction with democracy, higher voter turnout, lower income inequality, and stronger environmental performance.

“British Columbians have the chance to vote for real change in how our democracy works and build the movement for change across Canada. Let's take back power from the political parties and put it where it belongs, in the hands of citizens.”

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For further information or to arrange an interview:

Rod Leggett

Press Secretary

Rod.leggett@greenparty.ca

613-562-4916 ext. 206