A timeline of events surrounding the Liberal promise of electoral reform
OTTAWA — During the 2015 election campaign, Justin Trudeau promised that a Liberal government would ensure it was the last to be held under the first-past-the-post electoral system. A look at how the electoral reform debate unfolded in the ensuing months:
Dec. 16, 2015: Trudeau tells The Canadian Press he has no interest in replacing the current system with one designed to favour the Liberal party. Rather, he says he wants a system that makes the country’s democracy stronger.
May 5, 2016: Trudeau apologizes for suggesting opposition parties are to blame for a delay in setting up a parliamentary committee that would recommend a new system.
June 2, 2016: Trudeau admits his government botched the launch of its reform initiative by insisting on Liberal control over the all-party committee. He concedes his government was behaving too much like the previous Conservative government, which Liberals had roundly condemned for using its majority to impose changes to election laws. He agrees to give up the Liberal majority on the committee.