Reference Desk
In this section you will find reference materials on electoral systems and electoral reform that were selected and developed by the Learning Team.
We have made an effort to select materials that, as a group, do not favour one system over another. The list of materials is not complete, but represents a sample of the materials we found interesting.
We know that not everyone is an expert on electoral reform. That's why we've included a wide range of materials. You can browse the materials and choose what works best for you.
Background Materials
Report of the Select Committee on Electoral Reform (PDF, 998KB)
The Select Committee on Electoral Reform was made up of Members of Provincial Parliament (MPPs) from the LIberal, Progressive Conservative and New Democratic Parties. The committee studied electoral systems and issued this report to the Ontario Legislature in November 2005.
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Election Act (PDF, 634KB)
Regulation 82/06: Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform (PDF, 46KB)
The regulation that created the Citizens' Assembly.
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Voting Counts: Electoral Reform for Canada (PDF, 1.16MB)
This report from the Law Commission of Canada outlines the main variants of electoral systems, how they might be adopted in Canada and what their potential effects might be if they were.
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Ontario Election Results and Statistics
View the results of past Ontario elections on the Elections Ontario website.
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The ACE Electoral Knowledge Network
The ACE Electoral Knowledge Network is a database for students of electoral systems "to generate, share and apply knowledge, solve problems, help build common methods, and improve the professionalism of those engaged in activities related to credible, sustainable, peaceful and cost-effective elections."
Citizens Assembly Blog
J.H. Snider's blog covering citizens' assembly activities around the world.
Bill 155 (PDF, 604KB)
An act to provide for a referendum on Ontario's electoral system.
Hansard: November 16, 2006
Second reading of Bill 155.
Hansard: March 21, 2007
Third reading of Bill 155.
Bill 155 (PDF, 672KB)
Royal Assent: April 18, 2007.
Conference on Values-Driven Electoral Reform
Co-Sponsored by Queen’s School of Policy Studies and the Ontario Citizens’ Assembly Secretariat, the conference was held on November 12 and 13, 2006 at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. Below you will find some of the presentations delivered at the conference.
Annotated Bibliography
The Learning Team has put together a list of recommended reading materials on topics related to electoral systems and electoral reform. Each reference includes a brief summary of the material to help you plan your learning. Links to online sources, where available, are included.
Knowing that not everyone is an expert on electoral reform, we have grouped these materials as introductory, intermediate or advanced. That way you can browse the materials and choose what works best for you.
