The demonstration, which was planned by the grassroots organization, National Day of Action, comes after Justin Trudeau’s Liberals announced they will not be following through on their promise to replace the current first-past-the-post electoral system.
Volunteer Trish Altass, who is connected to the Fair Vote Canada organisation, said the group will continue to push for change.
“It was a clear promise Justin Trudeau made again and again,” said Altass, while handing out flyers and asking Islanders to contact their MPs to voice their opinion on the issue. “So for him to just break that promise is unacceptable and Canadian citizens should hold him accountable.”
P.E.I. recently had the plebiscite on electoral reform where mixed member proportional representation was the most popular option by receiving more than half the votes.
“I think in P.E.I. people are very aware of the issue around electoral reform and there is great support,” said Altass. “More and more people are becoming aware of the possibility of what our government could look like with a more diverse representation, and with having everybody’s vote count.”
More than 80 leaflets were given to Islanders within the hour by Altass and Green Party deputy leader Lynne Lund.
Lund said Justin Trudeau identified that we need to make every vote count, and that we need equity between provinces and individuals.
“I think the important thing is for people to have an opportunity to exercise their democratic right to petition. Will it change the prime minister’s mind, it’s hard to say, but he needs to know that Canadians are paying attention,” said Lund.