Electoral reform will be the main topic at two local public meetings this Wednesday evening.
A federal committee was set up this summer to identify and conduct a study of viable alternative voting systems to replace the first-past-the-post system. The committee is also gathering public input on mandatory voting and on-line voting.
There's a town hall meeting on Wednesday at 7pm at the Harmony Centre, on 4th Ave. E in Owen Sound.
A similar Town Hall discussion is also scheduled for Wednesday night at 7pm at the Goderich District Collegiate Institute.
The keynote speaker at the Goderich session is a political science professor from the University of Western Ontario. Professor Laura Stephenson will make a presentation on electoral reform options, and will explain some of the perceived benefits and drawbacks of each option.
A detailed report based on the issues raised during discussions in both Goderich and Owen Sound will be submitted to the federal government.
"We are organizing this town hall because we thought it was very important for the government to hear views on electoral reform from people who live in a rural community," says Allan Thompson, the communications chair for the Huron-Bruce federal Liberals. "We also want to make sure that all of the options are put on the table for discussion, rather than making the case for one option or the other."
