Private Members Bill

2014, Jan 30 – Private Members Bill

One of the more interesting pieces of legislation that will be debated this spring is Michael Chong’s Private Member’s Bill to reform Canada’s political system. A Private Member’s Bill will, among other things ,take away the right of party leaders to choose local candidates and will instead put that power in the hands of local party members. While rarely used, the leader’s right to allow or disallow part candidates has hurt the Canadian political system. It has helped to create the image that Members of Parliament are nothing more than “yes men” and it has created a mentality that MPs work for their leader, and not for their riding associations and constituents. While there is the potential for abuse and dishonest practices at the riding level, I believe this is a reform that will bring more accountability to our political system, and I will be voting for the bill.
I’m Brad Trost, Member of Parliament for Saskatoon-Humboldt and I’m working for you. For more information, check out my website at bradtrost.ca.