John Tory will vote against MMP

Tory has very strong views on the issue of MMP considering he takes no position on the issue.


Tory signals he'll vote no in referendum
MMP 'Less Accountable'
Mary Vallis, National Post
Published: Saturday, September 15, 2007
Ontario Progressive Conservative leader John Tory hinted strongly yesterday that he will vote against an electoral reform proposal that will be put to voters in a referendum next month.

In a candid interview with the National Post's editorial board, Mr. Tory said he is wary of the mixed-member proportional system because some MPPs would be "appointed by party bosses and accountable to no constituents."

"I'm very skeptical about a system that ... adds more politicians to begin with," Mr. Tory said. "I haven't met a single voter yet who has told me they're looking to add more politicians to the Ontario legislature, or any other place."



Ontario Progressive Conservative leader John Tory: "I'm very skeptical about a system that ... adds more politicians to begin with."
Peter J. Thompson, National Post
After saying he has taken no official stand on the referendum, Mr. Tory spent several minutes criticizing the proposed new system, which would raise the number of seats at Queen's Park to 129 from 107. It would also reduce the number of ridings to 90; the parties would create lists of candidates from which an additional 39 MPPs would be selected.

"I certainly haven't run into anybody who thinks it would be better to have MPPs, or any other kinds of politicians, who are appointed by party bosses and accountable to no constituents," Mr. Tory said.

"The notion to me that you'd have a whole bunch of people that would be down there now who will be accountable only to party bosses who put their names on the list, to me seems to be making the place less democratic, not more, and less accountable."

The system was developed by an independent citizens' assembly of 103 voters from across the province at Premier Dalton McGuinty's request. The assembly did not suggest how political parties should draw up their lists of candidates.