Democracy in Toronto took another important step forward yesterday, as MPP Mitzie Hunter’s private member’s bill empowering Toronto to set up a ranked ballot system for municipal elections passed through second reading, and was sent to the Ontario legislature’s Standing Committee on Social Policy for further study.
LINK: Mitzie Hunter Statement re RaBIT (Ranked Ballot Initiative)
The bill still has a long way to go (see How an Ontario Bill becomes Law; and even then Toronto City Council will still have to vote to adopt such a system), but the volunteers behind the Ranked Ballot Initiative of Toronto should take a day or two to celebrate this key milestone.
Pushing through any electoral reform is a daunting prospect filled with hurdles. I’m truly impressed by the progress that has been made so far by RaBIT to get it to this stage.
It requires a real persistence, focus, and sense of civic dedication to patiently manoeuvre a change like this through the different layers of government and community, over the course of several years. I would compare the process to walking a tightrope in slow motion. Each delicate step is vital, and at any point the whole thing could be derailed.
Keep at it, RaBIT! Follow the progress of Bill 166 here.
See previously:
