PCs may not support Cambridge MPPs private member's bill, but other local MPPs considering it

Her own party says it won't support her private member's bill, but Cambridge MPP Belinda Karahalios may find support from fellow local MPPs.

Karahalios has introduced a bill to make internal party elections, like those for party president or leader, more transparent. It would change the way parties report on their elections, requiring them to tell the chief electoral officer how many people voted and for who within seven days of an internal election.

Karahalios, a Progressive Conservative MPP, says the rules are necessary because too many parties skirt the rules. Her own husband has sued the PCs and alleges they breached the rules in the election for a new party president in Nov. 2018.

"This bill is about moving forward," Karahalios said. "It's to prevent that from happening to other people in the future."

All elections should be 'fair, democratic, transparent'

Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner, who also serves as the MPP for Guelph, says he's reviewed Karahalios' bill and plans to support it.

He said he initially had concerns it could impact small parties, but he says after reading through the bill, "I'm pretty confident that the reporting requirements and things are fair for small parties while holding all parties accountable for their nomination process."

He says some people may ask why this bill matters and Schreiner says often the winners of internal party elections "have a huge impact on our democracy."

"I think Ontarians need to have confidence that the electoral process — whether that's the party nomination process or the actual elections themselves — are done in a fair, democratic, transparent and accountable way."

In an emailed statement, Waterloo MPP Catherine Fife, who is a member of the NDP, said she and her colleagues "are going to take a serious look at this bill."

"Over the last several years, both the Liberals and Conservatives have found themselves in hot water over issues at their nomination meetings," Fife said.

PCs don't support bill

The PCs said in a statement that "the grassroots of political parties are responsible for determining their respective party leadership. We will continue to support and respect this democratic tradition and therefore the government does not support this private member's legislation."

Schreiner says he understands the bill likely won't pass because the Progressive Conservatives have a majority, but that won't deter him for voting in favour of it.

"I tend to base my votes on what I think is best for the people of Ontario and regardless of which political party puts the idea forward, if I think it's good for my constituents and I think it's good for the province, I'll vote for it and I don't think it is, I'll vote against it," he said.

The bill goes for second reading on Thursday.