Citizen's Assembly on Electoral Reform UPDATED
I just received a letter in the mail from The Office of Chief Election Officer of Ontario telling me I have been selected to participate in the Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform.
In an attempt to improve the electoral system in Ontario, the government has selected at random 103 individuals -- 52 female, 51 male (and at least one member will be Aboriginal) -- to talk about and debate the current electoral system in Ontario. The individuals selected were all from the Permanent Register of Electors of Ontario list.
Letters were sent out to 120, 000 individuals throughout the province asking them is they would be willing to participate in the assembly. Those who choose to participate will have their names placed in a random draw. The draw is to determine who will be the primary candidate and two alternates.
The assembly will recommend either to keep the current system or change it. The assembly is not to go without leadership. Former judge and deputy minister, George Thompson will head it up, bringing the total number of members to 104. If changes are recommend by the assembly, a referendum will be held to determine whether or not to implement those changes.
Apparently, no knowledge of the electoral system is necessary and, "members will learn about different electoral models during an extensive learning process," according to the assembly website.
The assembly will meet twice a month, mostly weekends and usually in Toronto, for eight months beginning in September. The assembly will also host public meetings across the province. Participation is voluntary, but apparently we will be compensated $150 per work day and are eligible for travel expenses. It seems sort of like jury duty, but a whole lot cooler.
The selection process is scheduled to be completed in July.
In an attempt to improve the electoral system in Ontario, the government has selected at random 103 individuals -- 52 female, 51 male (and at least one member will be Aboriginal) -- to talk about and debate the current electoral system in Ontario. The individuals selected were all from the Permanent Register of Electors of Ontario list.
Letters were sent out to 120, 000 individuals throughout the province asking them is they would be willing to participate in the assembly. Those who choose to participate will have their names placed in a random draw. The draw is to determine who will be the primary candidate and two alternates.
The assembly will recommend either to keep the current system or change it. The assembly is not to go without leadership. Former judge and deputy minister, George Thompson will head it up, bringing the total number of members to 104. If changes are recommend by the assembly, a referendum will be held to determine whether or not to implement those changes.
Apparently, no knowledge of the electoral system is necessary and, "members will learn about different electoral models during an extensive learning process," according to the assembly website.
The assembly will meet twice a month, mostly weekends and usually in Toronto, for eight months beginning in September. The assembly will also host public meetings across the province. Participation is voluntary, but apparently we will be compensated $150 per work day and are eligible for travel expenses. It seems sort of like jury duty, but a whole lot cooler.
The selection process is scheduled to be completed in July.
posted by Brian Bento at 3:40 PM
5 Comments:
That is cool! You are the only person I found so far that has the same letter. I also got one on Thursday(27th). At first I thought it was just some useless thing but as I kept on reading it became more interesting. I hope I could be in the assembly but the chances are very slim. 1 in 13 chance of being picked.
From what I've read, if you have received the letter all you have to do is respond -- and be eligible -- then your made part of the assembly.
No that is false. From over 8 million people in Ontario, a bit over 120,000 got the letter we did. Then from those people, some will reply back to Elections Ontario that they want to be apart of the Assembly. So from those interested people, Elections Ontario is going to do another random computer pick. Then about 10 to 13 people from each 103 ridings will recieve another letter in the mail sometime in mid-may. The letter will indicate that those people will have to attend a selection meeting. At the selection meeting they are going to put the 10-13 names in a hat and randomly select 1 person to represent that riding and sit as an offical member. They will then pick two more names to serve as alternatives. So the chances of being picked in very slim.
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Thanks for the info. I'll look into it.
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