New Democrat MP Don Davies (Vancouver Kingsway) said his caucus will use its influence in the minority Parliament to push for meaningful reforms, including changes to the electoral system — an idea he has championed since first entering the Commons 17 years ago.Blacklock's Reporter says Davies, now interim leader of the NDP and the party’s longest-serving MP, said the New Democrats “will strategically use the balance of power it holds to push the government to deliver real results for people.” He did not provide specifics but has long been a vocal supporter of proportional representation..In his 2008 maiden speech to Parliament, Davies called for a voting system that more accurately reflects Canadians’ choices. “They want proportional representation so our Parliament will finally and accurately reflect the votes that we cast,” he said at the time, adding that citizens in his riding wanted democratic reform and expected cooperation in a minority government.The NDP won 1.2 million votes and seven seats in the recent federal election, with only one MP elected east of Hudson Bay. .Davies said the party must reconnect with working Canadians and reaffirm its commitment to labour. “The strength of the NDP has always come from our members, activists, labour and supporters,” said Davies, a former lawyer with the Teamsters.Efforts to reform Canada’s electoral system have failed in the past. In 2017, the Liberal government dropped its campaign promise to change the voting process. Outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau later expressed regret, saying a ranked ballot would have encouraged parties to seek common ground rather than sow division.Although a 2016 Commons committee recommended that any change be put to a national referendum, most Liberal MPs dismissed reform efforts. At the time, government polling found 67% of Canadians were satisfied with the current system and saw no need for change.
