Referendum Rules Expanded for Electoral Reform

Summary#

This bill amends the federal Referendum Act to permit national votes on electoral reform and to allow a referendum to occur on the same day as a federal general election. It also sets a minimum campaign period for a referendum. The Governor in Council (the federal Cabinet) would keep discretion to call a referendum and decide where it applies (national or selected provinces) (s.3(1)).

• Expands the Act’s scope from constitutional questions to also include electoral reform (Long title; s.3(1)).
• Allows a referendum to be held at the same time as a general election (Bill Summary).
• Requires referendum writs to be issued at least 36 days before polling day (s.6(5)).
• Lets the federal Cabinet call a referendum nationally or in one or more named provinces (s.3(1)).

What it means for you#

• Households/Voters

  • You could see a referendum question on how Canada elects MPs on your ballot in a future election (Bill Summary; s.3(1)).
  • The referendum may be national or limited to certain provinces, depending on the proclamation (s.3(1)).
  • If held with a general election, you would vote for candidates and answer the referendum question in one trip (Bill Summary).
  • The campaign period would be at least 36 days before referendum day (s.6(5)).

• Political parties and campaigns

  • Parties and third parties could face simultaneous election and referendum campaigns if the dates align (Bill Summary).
  • The bill does not change spending, registration, or advertising rules in the Referendum Act; existing rules would continue to apply unless amended elsewhere. Data unavailable on any related regulatory changes in other statutes.

• Election administrators and poll workers

  • If a referendum coincides with a general election, ballots, staffing, and training would need to handle both processes at once (Bill Summary).
  • The 36-day minimum writ period sets a fixed planning window for referendum logistics (s.6(5)).

• Provinces and territories

  • A federal referendum could be limited to one or more provinces named in the proclamation, which could create different voting events across regions (s.3(1)).

Expenses#

Estimated net cost: Data unavailable.

• No appropriation is included in the bill text. It authorizes referendums; it does not require one (s.3(1)).
• Cost to run a referendum, whether standalone or concurrent with a general election, is not estimated in the bill or a fiscal note. Data unavailable.
• Frequency and timing depend on future government decisions to call a referendum (s.3(1)).

Proponents' View#

• Expands democratic input on electoral reform by creating a clear legal path for a federal referendum, which the current Act limits to constitutional questions (Long title; s.3(1)).
• Holding a referendum with a general election can make voting simpler for people by combining trips to the polls, which may support higher participation (Bill Summary). Assumption: turnout effects depend on voter behavior.
• A standard 36-day campaign period gives certainty to voters and administrators and aligns referendum timelines with familiar federal election practice (s.6(5)). Assumption: operational benefits depend on implementation details.
• Allowing national or province-specific referendums provides flexibility to gauge public opinion across Canada or in certain regions before major changes (s.3(1)). Assumption: partial-province referendums will still yield useful guidance.

Opponents' View#

• Combining a referendum with a general election could confuse voters or overshadow a complex policy question with party campaigns (Bill Summary). Assumption: actual voter confusion is not measured here.
• Giving the federal Cabinet discretion to decide if and where to hold a referendum may allow partisan timing or selective use in certain provinces (s.3(1)).
• Province-limited referendums on a national electoral system could produce uneven signals about public support, which may not reflect a clear national mandate (s.3(1)).
• The bill does not update administrative or finance rules for running concurrent election and referendum events, which could create logistical and enforcement challenges. Data unavailable on any complementary regulatory changes.
• Costs to run a referendum are unknown. Without published estimates, there is a risk of unplanned pressures on election administration if a concurrent event is called (Expenses).