Recent positive steps include fixed election dates, formation of the Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform and the upcoming referendum, but much more remains to be done.

The Green Party’s plan for democratic renewal recognizes the equality of all citizens and of their votes, the need for ongoing reform to reflect the our province’s evolving culture and grassroots democracy that places decision-making power in the hands of the people.

To achieve these objectives, the Green Party of Ontario will:

■ Introduce legislation requiring a simple majority of voters to win a referendum. The Green Party will make sure that democracy-denying supermajorities, as required in Ontario’s upcoming electoral system referendum, never happen again. The GPO would implement mixed member proportional representation (MMP) if passed by a 50% majority.

■ Lower the voting age from 18 to 16 years and increase electoral education in our schools. The Green Party of Ontario recognizes the need to encourage life-long participation in democracy in our disenfranchised youth.

■ Introduce legislation to create a taxpayer-supported system that funds political parties in proportion to the popular vote they attained in the previous provincial election and paid to them at the rate of $1.75 per year per vote obtained. The GPO believes it is time for corporate and union funding of political parties to end.

■ Eliminate the $200 deposit required to run for elected office. This change would make it more affordable for a broader range of citizens to run for elected office.

■ Establish a statutory holiday on polling days for provincial and municipal elections to encourage voter participation.

■ Ban contributions by corporations and trade unions to provincial political parties or to individuals seeking election at the municipal or regional levels.

■ Eliminate the carry-over of municipal campaign funds from one election campaign to the next. All funds raised must be spent in the election, transferred to a registered charity of choice or returned to donors.