Canadian government MP Michael Chong explains the goal of his private member's bill on political reform to journalists on Tuesday, December 3, 2013.
Photo Credit: Sean Kilpatrick

Canadian government MP tables bill to reform powers of party leaders, caucuses

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Michael Chong, a Canadian Member of Parliament wth the ruling Conservative Party, tabled a private member’s bill Tuesday morning (December 3) in the House of Commons that could affect the powers of MPs and their leaders.

The so-called “Reform Act” hopes to restore local control over party nominations in local electoral ridings, to strengthen caucus as a decision-making body, and allow a caucus of MPs to remove their leader.

It’s not clear how much support the MP will get from fellow government MPs to amend both the Canada Elections Act and the Parliament of Canada Act. If accepted, the bill would only come into effect after the 2015 federal election.

RCI’s Wojtek Gwiazda has a report.

More information:
Text of Michael Chong private member’s bill (pdf) – here
Reform Act 2013 website – www.reformact2013.ca
Toronto Star – MP’s reform bill would strike ‘a blow for democracy’ – here
CBC News – Conservative MP Michael Chong makes bid to fix Parliament – here
Maclean’s/Aaron Wherry – Who is Michael Chong? And what does he want to do with our Parliament? – here
Dale Smith – The romance with half-assed reform proposals – here
National Post/Chris Selley – The case against Michael Chong’s reforms – here

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