'Essence of democracy': Green Party leader urges MLAs to honour plebiscite

The leader of the Green Party says he will call for a free vote on proportional representation when the P.E.I. legislature resumes next week.

The plebiscite on electoral reform showed 52.4 per cent of voters prefer a mixed-member proportional representation system to elect MLAs. The current first-past-the-post system received 42.8 per cent of votes cast.

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Premier Wade MacLauchlan said the plebiscite results — which are not binding — would be debated in the legislature, but questioned the validity of the numbers because only 36 per cent of Islanders voted.

I think we're starting to talk about the essence of democracy itself and whether being able to disrespect the wishes of Islanders is an appropriate thing for a premier and a government to do.– Green Party Leader Peter Bevan-Baker

"It is doubtful whether these results can be said to constitute a clear expression of the will of Prince Edward Islanders," he said on Tuesday.

Green Party Leader Peter Bevan-Baker said he found MacLauchlan's comments "really disappointing."

"I think we're starting to talk about the essence of democracy itself and whether being able to disrespect the wishes of Islanders is an appropriate thing for a premier and a government to do," he said Wednesday on CBC's Island Morning.

MLAs chewing over the vote

PC MLA Sidney MacEwen said the government would be ignoring the results "at their peril."

"Regardless of your opinion on turnout, the plebiscite resulted in a desire for change," he said.

Liberal MLA Doug Currie said he will get a "better understanding" when he sees a breakdown of votes from his district of Charlottetown-Parkdale.

"I really need some time to look at the results," he said.

Bevan-Baker said he believes there are MLAs — "champions of democracy" on both sides of government — who want to honour the results of the plebiscite.

"I want full and open debate in the House and I'm going to push for a free vote at the end," he said.

"I hope I can persuade them that the fundamentals of democracy are more important than their loyalty to party."

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