Roughly 50 people rallied infront of St. John's City Hall Saturday afternoonto protest the federal Liberal governmentbecause they \"reneged on their promise\" of electoral reform, according to organizers. <\/p>\n
More than two dozen other similar protests were planned in communities across the country. <\/p>\n
Former NDP MP Jack Harris said the reason the Liberals gave as to why no changes will be made to the way federal representatives are elected simply doesn't cut it. <\/p>\n
\"We can't carry on by saying there is no consensus. When, in fact, there is a consensus,\" he told the crowd. <\/p>\n
\"For those who want to see the system changed, the consensus is proportional representation. So let's have that debate.\" <\/p>\n
Several people in the crowd were NDP members, including provincial NDP MHA Gerry Rogers and party leader Earle McCurdy. <\/p>\n
But St. John's East Liberal MP Nick Whelan defended his party's position to protesters. <\/p>\n
\"I appreciate your disappointment ...and thank you for all the work you've done,\" he said. <\/p>\n
Whelan said the issue \"isn't dead,\" but admitted voters won't see any changes for the next federal election. <\/p>\n
\"There is no possibility to legitimately implement a new system at this time that has the consensus of Canadians.\" <\/p>\n
St. John's East MP Nick Whalen defended his party and again insisted there is no consensus among Canadians on electoral reform. <\/p>\n
Event organizer Caitlin Urquhart, a lawyer in St. John's, told CBC she was shocked when the Liberals said the electoral system would not be changed. <\/p>\n
\"This was part of Trudeau's brand, this new form of governance,\" she said, \"and one of the pillars of their campaign platform they've walked away from.\" <\/p>\n
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Electoral reform 'not dead,' Liberal MP says at St. John's rally - CBC.ca<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Roughly 50 people rallied infront of St. John's City Hall Saturday afternoonto protest the federal Liberal governmentbecause they \"reneged on their promise\" of electoral reform, according to organizers. Continue reading