Discussion · Oral Questions
Christine Normandin Bloc Québécois
“A real majority is 50 percent plus one. That is how the government passes laws, and that is how referendums should work. I want the Prime Minister to respect that rule.”
“Mr. Speaker, respecting democracy means not only avoiding interfering in referendum questions, but also avoiding interfering in the people’s answer. A clear majority is 50% of the votes plus one. As the Prime Minister knows, all his laws are passed with a majority of 50% plus one. His own majority is 50% plus one. Even his own parliamentary secretary for justice said that the rule is 50% plus one. That is democracy, except for referendums apparently, because of the Clarity Act. Will the Prime Minister stop this drift away from democracy?”
Official Hansard
Mr. Speaker, respecting democracy means not only avoiding interfering in referendum questions, but also avoiding interfering in the people’s answer. A clear majority is 50% of the votes plus one. As the Prime Minister knows, all his laws are passed with a majority of 50% plus one. His own majority is 50% plus one. Even his own parliamentary secretary for justice said that the rule is 50% plus one. That is democracy, except for referendums apparently, because of the Clarity Act. Will the Prime Minister stop this drift away from democracy?