Speech (House debate)

{
    "time": "2011-12-13 15:40:00",
    "attribution": {
        "en": "Mr. Ted Opitz (Etobicoke Centre, CPC)",
        "fr": "M. Ted Opitz (Etobicoke-Centre, PCC)"
    },
    "content": {
        "en": "<p data-HoCid=\"2648524\" data-originallang=\"en\">Mr. Speaker, I am very happy to have this opportunity to stand again today to speak in favour of Bill <a data-HoCid=\"5194714\" href=\"/bills/41-1/C-20/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867, the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act and the Canada Elections Act\">C-20</a>, the fair representation act. This bill is representative of a series of important points for Canadians in general and for both Ontarians and my constituents in Etobicoke Centre.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648525\" data-originallang=\"en\">First and foremost, this bill would address serious and increasing under-representation of our fastest-growing provinces, Ontario being chief among them on a short list that also includes British Columbia and Alberta. The under-representation is a serious problem that has a direct impact on the way all Canadians experience their representative democracy.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648526\" data-originallang=\"en\">The source of this under-representation is a current seat allocation formula instituted in 1985. The effect of the current formula has been to significantly increase the disparity between provinces protected by seat guarantees and the faster-growing provinces that do not benefit from those guarantees. Specifically, the faster-growing provinces of Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta have become significantly under-represented in the House relative to their populations, and this under-representation is only going to get worse.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648527\" data-originallang=\"en\">In his presentation to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, Professor Michael Powell of the University of Toronto spoke about the value of Bill <a data-HoCid=\"5194714\" href=\"/bills/41-1/C-20/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867, the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act and the Canada Elections Act\">C-20</a> in addressing the distortions caused by the 1985 formula. He stated:</p>\n<blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"2648528\" data-originallang=\"en\"> [Bill C-20] removes the artificial cap on the size of the House of Commons.... The practical effect of the 279 formula means that not enough seats are added to the fast-growing provinces, those being Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. By removing that cap, Bill C-20 raises the possibility that representation by population will be adhered to much more closely than it currently is. </p>\n</blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"2648529\" data-originallang=\"en\">He went on to say: </p>\n<blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"2648530\" data-originallang=\"en\"> The second positive move forward by Bill C-20 is that it adds seats to exactly those provinces that have fast-growing populations.... By adding the seats to the fast-growing populations, Bill C-20 is a positive move because it raises equality for those voters. </p>\n</blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"2648531\" data-originallang=\"en\">Bill <a data-HoCid=\"5194714\" href=\"/bills/41-1/C-20/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867, the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act and the Canada Elections Act\">C-20</a> delivers on our government's long-standing commitment to move the House of Commons toward fair representation. In particular, the bill reflects the government's three distinct promises to provide fair representation by allocating an increased number of seats now and in the future to better reflect population growth in Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta; protecting the number of seats of smaller provinces; and protecting the proportional representation of Quebec according to population.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648532\" data-originallang=\"en\">Now that we have had the benefit of the second reading debate and committee review, the value of this bill has become even more clear, in particular when compared and contrasted with the proposals that have been put forward by the New Democratic Party, which refuses to provide numbers, and the Liberal Party, which is a little more understandable. When we review all of these proposals objectively, in my mind there is no question that Bill <a data-HoCid=\"5194714\" href=\"/bills/41-1/C-20/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867, the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act and the Canada Elections Act\">C-20</a> represents the most practical and fairest approach to improving representation in the House of Commons.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648533\" data-originallang=\"en\">During the debate on Bill <a data-HoCid=\"5194714\" href=\"/bills/41-1/C-20/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867, the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act and the Canada Elections Act\">C-20</a>, the other parties made alternative proposals to reform the formula for seat readjustments in the House of Commons. The NDP put forward a proposal that would see Quebec guaranteed a certain minimum number of seats in the House; our friends the Liberals have proposed that the number of seats be capped at 308 and then redistributed proportionally among the provinces. Of the three proposals, Bill <a data-HoCid=\"5194714\" href=\"/bills/41-1/C-20/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867, the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act and the Canada Elections Act\">C-20</a> is the only option that is not only practical but that also achieves the objective of improving representation in the House of Commons. In fact, I would go so far as to say that the options proposed by the other parties are at the extreme end of the spectrum and that their possible solutions would not be practical.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648534\" data-originallang=\"en\">In the evolution of the seat readjustment formula, there have always been certain common objectives when changes have been considered, including the primacy of representation by population, seat protections for slower-growing provinces, and the desire to maintain a reasonable size in the House of Commons. The idea of guaranteeing a fixed percentage of seats to a province, as proposed by the NDP, has never been an element of the seat readjustment formula, and nowhere in the Constitution has there ever been a guarantee that Quebec--or any other province, for that matter--should receive a certain percentage of seats in the House of Commons. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648535\" data-originallang=\"en\">Fixing a certain percentage of seats for one province would be contrary to the proportional representation of that province, since it would diminish significantly the principle of representation by population in the seat readjustment formula. Bill <a data-HoCid=\"5194714\" href=\"/bills/41-1/C-20/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867, the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act and the Canada Elections Act\">C-20</a>, on the other hand, respects the principle of representation by population while ensuring that Quebec receives a number of seats in proportion to its population. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648536\" data-originallang=\"en\">As Professor Pal stated in his remarks before the procedure committee,</p>\n<blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"2648537\" data-originallang=\"en\"> This bill would add three seats to Quebec. I think that's a good development, because it means that the proportion of seats Quebec has in the House will not fall below its proportion in the general population. </p>\n</blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"2648538\" data-originallang=\"en\">In this regard Mr. Kingsley, the former chief electoral officer, said to the committee, </p>\n<blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"2648539\" data-originallang=\"en\"> Insofar as Quebec is concerned, Quebec will remain right on, not overrepresented, not underrepresented, based on the total number of seats. This has been one of the objectives for a very long time. </p>\n</blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"2648540\" data-originallang=\"en\">The Liberal proposal is equally flawed and does not represent a feasible option for adjusting the seat readjustment formula. The Liberal proposal would freeze the number of seats in the House of Commons at 308 for the coming readjustment, remove the grandfather clause that protects the seats of the slower-growing provinces and then redistribute seats on a proportionate basis. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648541\" data-originallang=\"en\">The key problem with the Liberal proposal is that it picks winners and losers among the provinces. It would create losers because it would result in seats being taken away from the slower-growing provinces and given to the faster-growing provinces. In effect, the Liberal proposal would take seats away from Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Seats from these provinces would be redistributed to Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648542\" data-originallang=\"en\">Our government believes this would be an extremely unfair approach to representation in the House of Commons. We made a strong commitment to the slower-growing provinces that their seat totals would be maintained and we intend to meet that commitment.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648543\" data-originallang=\"en\">As former CEO Jean-Pierre Kingsley noted in his testimony before the procedure committee, </p>\n<blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"2648544\" data-originallang=\"en\"> ...if you tell a province that it is going to lose some members, but that it shouldn't worry about it because it will keep the same proportion... I don't know how such a thing could be done in this country. </p>\n</blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"2648545\" data-originallang=\"en\"> He went on to say: </p>\n<blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"2648546\" data-originallang=\"en\"> I don't see how it could be achieved politically. The force of resistance would be too great. </p>\n</blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"2648547\" data-originallang=\"en\">Having received these competing proposals, it seems clear to me that Bill <a data-HoCid=\"5194714\" href=\"/bills/41-1/C-20/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867, the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act and the Canada Elections Act\">C-20</a> represents the best possible option. Neither of these opposition proposals is close to being a practical and fair solution to the issue of representation in this House; Bill C-20, on the other hand, does present a practical solution that goes a long way to achieving fair representation. The practical result of Bill C-20 is that every single Canadian moves closer to representation by population.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648548\" data-originallang=\"en\">I would like to underline this point in more detail and discuss the importance of introducing a seat allocation formula that is more responsive to population size and trends. This legislation would move the House closer to fair representation for Canadians living in Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta while maintaining the number of seats for slower-growing provinces and ensuring that Quebec's representation is equal to its population. By introducing a seat allocation formula that is more responsive to population size and trends, the fair representation act would move the House closer to representation by population both now in the in the future.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648549\" data-originallang=\"en\"> The practical effect is that Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and Alberta would be entitled to new seats under the fair representation act. Ontario would receive 15 new seats rather than only the three new seats it would receive under the 1985 status quo formula. Alberta would receive six new seats rather than only three, and British Columbia would receive six new seats rather than only one. Quebec's representation would equal its population, which means it would receive three new seats.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648550\" data-originallang=\"en\">This is the best formula to move all provinces toward representation by population in a principled and fair manner. This fair representation would have a direct effect on my riding in Etobicoke Centre and on the Greater Toronto Area as a whole. It would generally have a direct positive effect on other large urban areas and cities in the three fastest-growing provinces. Canadians, especially new Canadians and visible minorities, would be much more fairly represented than they are now, and the populations of our ridings would be much more manageable.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648551\" data-originallang=\"en\">A benefit of our bill over the opposition's proposals is related to rural ridings not being forced to become even larger than they already are from a geographic perspective. Many of my colleagues who represent rural areas have made this point and have raised concerns that the Liberal proposal in particular would greatly enlarge their ridings. My colleague from <a data-HoCid=\"170473\" href=\"/politicians/scott-reid/\" title=\"Scott Reid\">Lanark\u2014Frontenac\u2014Lennox and Addington</a> was especially noteworthy on this point. Regardless of the advance of modern technology, rural MPs still find it challenging to stay in touch with and represent the people who live in such wide expanses of country, some of them thousands of kilometres square.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648552\" data-originallang=\"en\"> We have to face some realities. Our country is the second-largest country by land area in the entire world. This has particular implications, one being that even given the allowable population variances, many of our rural ridings cannot be anything but incredibly large.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648553\" data-originallang=\"en\">These sorts of ridings are challenging to represent, even given the efforts at better communication through the use of technology and through increased resources. My colleague for <a data-HoCid=\"170884\" href=\"/politicians/leona-aglukkaq/\" title=\"Leona Aglukkaq\">Nunavut</a>, the <a data-HoCid=\"128707\" href=\"/politicians/leona-aglukkaq/\" title=\"Leona Aglukkaq\">Minister of Health</a>, has to fly to practically every single community within her riding. My colleague for <a data-HoCid=\"170607\" href=\"/politicians/rob-clarke/\" title=\"Rob Clarke\">Desneth\u00e9\u2014Missinippi\u2014Churchill River</a> represents the entire northern half of Saskatchewan. It is massive. Our colleague for the NDP, the member for <a data-HoCid=\"170756\" href=\"/politicians/niki-ashton/\" title=\"Niki Ashton\">Churchill</a>, represents more than the entire northern half of Manitoba. The ridings of northern Ontario, northern Quebec, northern British Columbia and northern Alberta are similarly very large. Ridings that large pose not only a distance and communications problem to MPs but also an enormous time problem. It can take hours to drive or fly to communities within one riding in these rural and northern areas.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648554\" data-originallang=\"en\">The House does provide some extra financial resources to MPs for these areas, but ultimately MPs all have the same amount of time in which to visit their communities. I have the same amount of time to visit the people in my riding as my colleague for <a data-HoCid=\"170762\" href=\"/politicians/greg-rickford/\" title=\"Greg Rickford\">Kenora</a> has to visit his. However, I can walk to many community centres in my riding and I can drive from end to end of it in a matter of minutes. That is a luxury of time that our northern and rural colleagues do not have. They have to drive or even fly for hours to reach different community centres.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648555\" data-originallang=\"en\">Kenora, for instance, is fully half the size of the province of Alberta. Kenora is bigger than the country of Poland and much larger than many countries around the world. To impose a formula that would make those time and distance problems even more severe would be highly unfair to those MPs across this House, so that is something we have decided to avoid. That decision is part of the balance that we have struck in this bill, and that balance is important.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648556\" data-originallang=\"en\">We have not claimed that our bill is perfect; it is a balance between competing principles. We do, however, maintain that it is a fair balance, a good balance and a balance that we should all be able to support at the end of the day. We balance fair representation for our faster-growing provinces with protection of seat counts for our slower-growing provinces. We balance the need for faster-growing densely populated areas to have a fair number of MPs with ensuring that our large rural and northern ridings will not get much larger, if at all.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648557\" data-originallang=\"en\">We provide much more equal voting weight for Canadians who live in those urban areas, who are new to Canada, who are visible minorities, or who live in under-represented provinces.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648558\" data-originallang=\"en\">We also provide a formula that does not punish the smaller provinces and that does not cause overrepresented provinces to become under-represented. We think this is a fair balance and one that is based on widely shared and easily recognized principles. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648559\" data-originallang=\"en\">I note that as part of that balance, our government is addressing under-representation in a way that respects the representation of the smaller provinces. This is a long-standing commitment of our government and of our party. Canadians have given us a strong mandate to deliver in this regard, and that is what we will do.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648560\" data-originallang=\"en\">The fair representation act is fair for all Canadians, not just for some provinces. It is a measured investment that brings every single Canadian closer to representation by population. Maintaining fair representation by population allows all members of Parliament to provide adequate services for their constituents. In the GTA and in <a data-HoCid=\"170886\" href=\"/politicians/ted-opitz/\" title=\"Ted Opitz\">Etobicoke Centre</a>, it is integral for me and for my staff to ensure that people receive the help they deserve from our constituency offices.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648561\" data-originallang=\"en\">Finally, the fair representation act also provides that the seat allocation formula would apply a representation rule. If a province became under-represented as a result of the application of the updated formula, additional seats would be allocated to that province so that its representation will equal its share of the population. Based on population estimates, Quebec will be the first province to receive new seats in order not to become under-represented by the application of the updated formula. Quebec has 23% of the provincial population and will have 23% of the provincial seats in the House of Commons.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648562\" data-originallang=\"en\">Though the representation rule is nationally applicable and applies to all provinces that enter this scenario, the representation rule is a principled measure to ensure that smaller and lower-growth provinces do not become under-represented in the future and that they will maintain representation in line with their share of the population. This is fair and just.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648563\" data-originallang=\"en\"> In addition to the updated formula for allocating seats, Bill <a data-HoCid=\"5194714\" href=\"/bills/41-1/C-20/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867, the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act and the Canada Elections Act\">C-20</a> also proposes amendments to the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act, the EBRA. The Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act sets out the process for readjusting electoral boundaries within provinces once the allocation of seats by provinces is known.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648564\" data-originallang=\"en\"> Under the current timelines, it would take approximately 30 to 38 months to complete the readjustment process following the release of census results. This would mean the process would not be complete until November 2014. The changes proposed in the bill aim to shorten the timelines in the current boundary readjustment process with a view to streamlining that process. With these changes, it would be possible to bring forward the completion of the boundary readjustment process to early 2014. I think that benefits all parties in the House.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648565\" data-originallang=\"en\">During the hearings at the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs, both the current Chief Electoral Officer, Marc Mayrand, and former chief electoral officer, Jean-Pierre Kingsley, noted that the amendments were consistent with previous recommendations and there would be no problems associated with the new timelines. As Mr. Mayrand stated:</p>\n<blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"2648566\" data-originallang=\"en\"> We are confident that we and the commissions will be able to proceed and implement the new formula and the remainder of provisions of the legislation without too much difficulty, provided it's enacted in time. </p>\n</blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"2648567\" data-originallang=\"en\">The fair representation act fulfills our government's long-standing commitment to move toward fair representation. It would bring the faster-growing provinces of Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia closer to representation by population, while protecting the seats of slower-growing provinces and providing seats to Quebec in proportion to its population.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648568\" data-originallang=\"en\">The new formula corrects a long-standing imbalance in democratic representation between the different provinces and our federation. In short, it is the best formula to move toward fair representation in a principled manner. It is reasonable. It is principled. It is nationally applicable. Most of all, it is fair for all Canadians. It will achieve better representation for Canadians living in fast-growing provinces, while maintaining representation for smaller and slower-growing provinces. It brings every Canadian closer to representation by population.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648569\" data-originallang=\"en\"> I hope all hon. members in the House will also agree and will come to support the bill in order to restore fair representation to the House.</p>",
        "fr": "<p data-HoCid=\"2648524\" data-originallang=\"en\">Monsieur le Pr\u00e9sident, je suis tr\u00e8s heureux de pouvoir intervenir de nouveau aujourd'hui en faveur du projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"5194714\" href=\"/bills/41-1/C-20/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867, the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act and the Canada Elections Act\">C-20</a>, Loi sur la repr\u00e9sentation \u00e9quitable. Ce projet de loi traite de plusieurs points importants pour les Canadiens en g\u00e9n\u00e9ral et, particuli\u00e8rement, pour les Ontariens et pour mes \u00e9lecteurs, les gens d\u2019Etobicoke-Centre.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648525\" data-originallang=\"en\">D\u2019abord et avant tout, ce projet de loi r\u00e9glerait le grave probl\u00e8me, sans cesse croissant, de la sous-repr\u00e9sentation des provinces dont la population augmente le plus rapidement. Sur ce plan, l\u2019Ontario arrive au sommet d\u2019une courte liste qui comprend aussi la Colombie-Britannique et l\u2019Alberta. La sous-repr\u00e9sentation est un probl\u00e8me grave qui a des cons\u00e9quences directes sur la fa\u00e7on dont tous les Canadiens vivent la d\u00e9mocratie repr\u00e9sentative.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648526\" data-originallang=\"en\">La formule d\u2019attribution des si\u00e8ges adopt\u00e9e en 1985 est \u00e0 l\u2019origine de cette sous-repr\u00e9sentation. La formule actuelle a fait augmenter grandement la disparit\u00e9 entre les provinces dont le nombre de si\u00e8ges est garanti et celles dont la population cro\u00eet rapidement et qui ne b\u00e9n\u00e9ficient pas de cette garantie. Plus pr\u00e9cis\u00e9ment, l\u2019Ontario, la Colombie-Britannique et l\u2019Alberta accusent une importante sous-repr\u00e9sentation \u00e0 la Chambre selon leur population, et cette sous-repr\u00e9sentation ne fera qu\u2019empirer.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648527\" data-originallang=\"en\">Dans son expos\u00e9 au Comit\u00e9 permanent de la proc\u00e9dure et des affaires de la Chambre, le professeur Michael Pal, de l\u2019Universit\u00e9 de Toronto, a d\u00e9crit ainsi la fa\u00e7on dont le projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"5194714\" href=\"/bills/41-1/C-20/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867, the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act and the Canada Elections Act\">C-20</a> \u00e9liminera les distorsions caus\u00e9es par la formule de 1985.</p>\n<blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"2648528\" data-originallang=\"en\"> [Le projet de loi C-20] permet de supprimer le plafond artificiel quant \u00e0 la taille de la Chambre des communes. Suivant la formule de r\u00e9partition actuelle, la population de chaque province est divis\u00e9e par 279. Cette formule ne permet pas d'ajouter suffisamment de si\u00e8ges aux provinces connaissant une croissance rapide, soit l'Ontario, l'Alberta et la Colombie-Britannique. En supprimant ce plafond, il devient possible d'assurer une repr\u00e9sentation de la population beaucoup plus fid\u00e8le qu'elle ne l'est actuellement. </p>\n</blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"2648529\" data-originallang=\"en\">Il dit ensuite:</p>\n<blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"2648530\" data-originallang=\"en\"> Deuxi\u00e8me \u00e9l\u00e9ment positif du projet de loi C-20, on accorde davantage de si\u00e8ges \u00e0 ces m\u00eames provinces dont la population cro\u00eet rapidement [...] En donnant plus de si\u00e8ges aux provinces \u00e0 croissance rapide, le projet de loi C-20 am\u00e9liore les choses en offrant un traitement plus \u00e9quitable \u00e0 ces \u00e9lecteurs. </p>\n</blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"2648531\" data-originallang=\"en\">Le projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"5194714\" href=\"/bills/41-1/C-20/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867, the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act and the Canada Elections Act\">C-20</a> donne suite \u00e0 l'engagement de longue date du gouvernement d'assurer une repr\u00e9sentation \u00e9quitable \u00e0 la Chambre des communes. Il permet le respect de trois promesses diff\u00e9rentes au sujet de la repr\u00e9sentation \u00e0 la Chambre des communes. Il pr\u00e9voit l'augmentation du nombre de si\u00e8ges maintenant et \u00e0 l'avenir afin de mieux tenir compte de la croissance d\u00e9mographique de l'Ontario, de la Colombie-Britannique et de l'Alberta; il prot\u00e8ge le nombre de si\u00e8ges attribu\u00e9s aux petites provinces; il prot\u00e8ge la repr\u00e9sentation proportionnelle du Qu\u00e9bec selon sa population. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648532\" data-originallang=\"en\"> Maintenant que cette mesure l\u00e9gislative a franchi les \u00e9tapes de la deuxi\u00e8me lecture et de l'\u00e9tude en comit\u00e9, sa valeur appara\u00eet encore plus clairement, plus particuli\u00e8rement lorsqu'on la compare \u00e0 la proposition du Nouveau Parti d\u00e9mocratique, qui refuse de fournir des chiffres, et \u00e0 celle du Parti lib\u00e9ral, qui est un peu plus compr\u00e9hensible. Lorsque nous examinons toutes ces propositions objectivement, il ne fait aucun doute dans mon esprit que le projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"5194714\" href=\"/bills/41-1/C-20/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867, the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act and the Canada Elections Act\">C-20</a> est la fa\u00e7on la plus pratique et la plus juste d'am\u00e9liorer la repr\u00e9sentation \u00e0 la Chambre des communes.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648533\" data-originallang=\"en\">Pendant le d\u00e9bat sur le projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"5194714\" href=\"/bills/41-1/C-20/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867, the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act and the Canada Elections Act\">C-20</a>, les autres partis ont pr\u00e9sent\u00e9 d'autres propositions visant \u00e0 modifier la formule de rajustement du nombre de si\u00e8ges \u00e0 la Chambre des communes. Le NPD a pr\u00e9sent\u00e9 une proposition qui garantissait au Qu\u00e9bec un nombre minimal de si\u00e8ges \u00e0 la Chambre, tandis que les lib\u00e9raux ont propos\u00e9 de maintenir \u00e0 308 le nombre de si\u00e8ges \u00e0 la Chambre et de les redistribuer proportionnellement aux provinces. Des trois propositions, le projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"5194714\" href=\"/bills/41-1/C-20/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867, the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act and the Canada Elections Act\">C-20</a> est la seule option pratique et aussi la seule qui permet d'atteindre l'objectif vis\u00e9, soit am\u00e9liorer la repr\u00e9sentation \u00e0 la Chambre des communes. En fait, j'irais jusqu'\u00e0 dire que les options propos\u00e9es par les autres partis se situent \u00e0 l'autre extr\u00e9mit\u00e9 de la gamme et que les solutions qu'ils avancent sont presque irr\u00e9alisables.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648534\" data-originallang=\"en\">Dans l'examen des changements envisag\u00e9s \u00e0 la formule de rajustement du nombre de si\u00e8ges au fil du temps, on a toujours tenu compte de certains objectifs communs, y compris la primaut\u00e9 de la repr\u00e9sentation selon la population, la protection du nombre de si\u00e8ges pour les provinces o\u00f9 la croissance est plus lente, et la volont\u00e9 de limiter la taille de la Chambre des communes afin que le nombre de si\u00e8ges demeure raisonnable. L'id\u00e9e consistant \u00e0 garantir un pourcentage fixe de si\u00e8ges \u00e0 une province, qui a \u00e9t\u00e9 avanc\u00e9e par le NPD, n'a jamais fait partie de la formule de rajustement du nombre de si\u00e8ges, et rien dans la Constitution ne garantit au Qu\u00e9bec, ou \u00e0 toute autre province d'ailleurs, un certain pourcentage de si\u00e8ges \u00e0 la Chambre des communes. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648535\" data-originallang=\"en\">Si on garantissait un pourcentage fixe de si\u00e8ges \u00e0 une province, on irait \u00e0 l'encontre de la repr\u00e9sentation proportionnelle pour celle-ci, car dans le contexte de la formule de rajustement du nombre de si\u00e8ges, on s'attaquerait au principe de la repr\u00e9sentation selon la population. En revanche, le projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"5194714\" href=\"/bills/41-1/C-20/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867, the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act and the Canada Elections Act\">C-20</a> respecte le principe de la repr\u00e9sentation selon la population et permet de voir \u00e0 ce que le Qu\u00e9bec re\u00e7oive le nombre de si\u00e8ges qui correspond \u00e0 sa population. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648536\" data-originallang=\"en\">Comme le professeur Pal l'a indiqu\u00e9 lors de son t\u00e9moignage devant le Comit\u00e9 de la proc\u00e9dure:</p>\n<blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"2648537\" data-originallang=\"en\"> Ce projet de loi accorderait trois si\u00e8ges suppl\u00e9mentaires au Qu\u00e9bec. Je pense qu'il s'agit d'une bonne solution, car le pourcentage de si\u00e8ges qu\u00e9b\u00e9cois \u00e0 la Chambre des communes ne deviendrait pas ainsi inf\u00e9rieur \u00e0 sa proportion de la population canadienne. </p>\n</blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"2648538\" data-originallang=\"en\">\u00c0 cet \u00e9gard, M. Kingsley, l'ancien directeur g\u00e9n\u00e9ral des \u00e9lections, a d\u00e9clar\u00e9 au comit\u00e9: </p>\n<blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"2648539\" data-originallang=\"en\"> En ce qui concerne le Qu\u00e9bec, il demeurera bien repr\u00e9sent\u00e9, ni surrepr\u00e9sent\u00e9, ni sous-repr\u00e9sent\u00e9, en fonction du nombre total de si\u00e8ges. C'est un objectif qu'on cherche \u00e0 atteindre depuis longtemps. </p>\n</blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"2648540\" data-originallang=\"en\">La proposition des lib\u00e9raux laisse elle aussi \u00e0 d\u00e9sirer et ne constitue pas une option r\u00e9alisable pour modifier la formule de rajustement du nombre de si\u00e8ges. Les lib\u00e9raux proposent de geler le nombre de si\u00e8ges \u00e0 la Chambre des communes \u00e0 308 pour le prochain rajustement, de supprimer la clause de droits acquis qui prot\u00e8ge les si\u00e8ges attribu\u00e9s aux provinces \u00e0 croissance plus lente et de redistribuer les si\u00e8ges de fa\u00e7on proportionnelle. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648541\" data-originallang=\"en\">Le principal probl\u00e8me que pose la proposition lib\u00e9rale est qu'elle fait des gagnants et des perdants parmi les provinces. Elle cr\u00e9erait des perdants parce qu'elle ferait perdre des si\u00e8ges aux provinces dont la croissance est plus lente et en ferait gagner \u00e0 celles dont la croissance est plus rapide. La proposition lib\u00e9rale ferait perdre des si\u00e8ges au Qu\u00e9bec, \u00e0 Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador, \u00e0 la Nouvelle-\u00c9cosse, \u00e0 la Saskatchewan et au Manitoba. Les si\u00e8ges retir\u00e9s \u00e0 ces provinces seraient redistribu\u00e9s \u00e0 l'Ontario, \u00e0 la Colombie-Britannique et \u00e0 l'Alberta. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648542\" data-originallang=\"en\">Le gouvernement estime que cette approche serait extr\u00eamement in\u00e9quitable en mati\u00e8re de repr\u00e9sentation \u00e0 la Chambre des communes. Nous nous sommes clairement engag\u00e9s aupr\u00e8s des provinces dont la croissance d\u00e9mographique est plus lente \u00e0 maintenir le nombre total de si\u00e8ges qu'elles ont actuellement et nous avons l'intention de tenir parole. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648543\" data-originallang=\"en\">Comme Jean-Pierre Kingsley, l'ancien directeur g\u00e9n\u00e9ral des \u00e9lections, l'a pr\u00e9cis\u00e9 dans son t\u00e9moignage devant le Comit\u00e9 de la proc\u00e9dure: </p>\n<blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"2648544\" data-originallang=\"en\"> [...] si on dit \u00e0 une province qu'elle va perdre des d\u00e9put\u00e9s, mais qu'elle ne doit pas s'en faire parce qu'elle va conserver sa proportion... Je ne sais pas comment une telle chose peut \u00eatre r\u00e9alis\u00e9e dans ce pays. </p>\n</blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"2648545\" data-originallang=\"en\">Il a ajout\u00e9 ce qui suit:</p>\n<blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"2648546\" data-originallang=\"en\"> Je ne vois pas comment cela pourrait se faire politiquement. Il y aurait une trop forte r\u00e9sistance. </p>\n</blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"2648547\" data-originallang=\"en\">Ayant re\u00e7u ces propositions concurrentes, il me semble clair que le projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"5194714\" href=\"/bills/41-1/C-20/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867, the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act and the Canada Elections Act\">C-20</a> repr\u00e9sente la meilleure option possible. Aucune des propositions de l'opposition n'offre de solution pratique et \u00e9quitable au probl\u00e8me de repr\u00e9sentation \u00e0 la Chambre. Le projet de loi C-20, en revanche, offre une solution pratique qui contribue grandement \u00e0 assurer la repr\u00e9sentation \u00e9quitable. Le projet de loi rapproche tous les Canadiens de la repr\u00e9sentation selon la population.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648548\" data-originallang=\"en\"> J'aimerais parler plus longuement de ce point et discuter de l'importance de proposer une formule d'attribution des si\u00e8ges qui tient davantage compte de la taille de la population et des tendances d\u00e9mographiques. Cette mesure l\u00e9gislative assurerait une repr\u00e9sentation plus \u00e9quitable \u00e0 la Chambre aux Canadiens qui vivent en Ontario, en Colombie-Britannique et en Alberta, tout en maintenant le nombre de si\u00e8ges attribu\u00e9s aux provinces o\u00f9 la croissance d\u00e9mographique est plus lente et en assurant au Qu\u00e9bec une repr\u00e9sentation proportionnelle \u00e0 sa population. En instaurant une formule d'attribution des si\u00e8ges qui tient davantage compte de la taille de la population et des tendances d\u00e9mographiques, la Loi sur la repr\u00e9sentation \u00e9quitable rapprocherait la Chambre d'une repr\u00e9sentation selon la population, d\u00e8s maintenant et \u00e0 l'avenir. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648549\" data-originallang=\"en\">Concr\u00e8tement, l'Ontario, le Qu\u00e9bec, la Colombie-Britannique et l'Alberta auraient droit \u00e0 de nouveaux si\u00e8ges en vertu de la Loi sur la repr\u00e9sentation \u00e9quitable. L'Ontario aurait 15 si\u00e8ges de plus au lieu des trois si\u00e8ges suppl\u00e9mentaires qu'il recevrait dans la formule de 1985. L'Alberta aurait six si\u00e8ges de plus, au lieu de trois seulement. La Colombie-Britannique en aurait six, au lieu d'un seul. Le Qu\u00e9bec aurait trois si\u00e8ges de plus de mani\u00e8re \u00e0 ce qu'il soit repr\u00e9sent\u00e9 en fonction de sa population.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648550\" data-originallang=\"en\"> C\u2019est la meilleure formule pour assurer \u00e0 toutes les provinces, de fa\u00e7on juste et \u00e9quitable, une repr\u00e9sentation selon la population. Cette repr\u00e9sentation \u00e9quitable aurait un effet direct sur ma circonscription, Etobicoke-Centre, et sur l\u2019agglom\u00e9ration torontoise en g\u00e9n\u00e9ral. Elle aurait un effet positif direct sur d\u2019autres grandes villes dans les trois provinces qui affichent la plus forte croissance d\u00e9mographique. Les Canadiens, et en particulier les n\u00e9o-Canadiens et les membres de minorit\u00e9s visibles, seraient beaucoup plus \u00e9quitablement repr\u00e9sent\u00e9s que maintenant, et nos circonscriptions auraient une population beaucoup plus raisonnable. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648551\" data-originallang=\"en\"> Si on le compare aux propositions de l\u2019opposition, notre projet de loi a l\u2019avantage de ne pas n\u00e9cessiter un agrandissement des circonscriptions rurales d\u00e9j\u00e0 tr\u00e8s \u00e9tendues sur le plan g\u00e9ographique. Nombre de mes coll\u00e8gues qui repr\u00e9sentent des comt\u00e9s ruraux ont fait valoir ce point et ils ont dit craindre que la proposition lib\u00e9rale, en particulier, agrandisse tr\u00e8s sensiblement leurs circonscriptions. Mon coll\u00e8gue de <a data-HoCid=\"170473\" href=\"/politicians/scott-reid/\" title=\"Scott Reid\">Lanark\u2014Frontenac\u2014Lennox and Addington</a> a \u00e9t\u00e9 particuli\u00e8rement \u00e9loquent \u00e0 ce sujet. Malgr\u00e9 les progr\u00e8s de la technologie moderne, il demeure difficile pour les d\u00e9put\u00e9s des r\u00e9gions rurales d\u2019entretenir le contact avec leurs \u00e9lecteurs et de repr\u00e9senter une population qui occupe un vaste territoire, un territoire qui s\u2019\u00e9tend parfois sur des milliers de kilom\u00e8tres carr\u00e9s. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648552\" data-originallang=\"en\"> Nous devons faire face \u00e0 la r\u00e9alit\u00e9. Notre pays est le deuxi\u00e8me au monde en termes de superficie. Cette r\u00e9alit\u00e9 a des cons\u00e9quences, entre autres le fait que m\u00eame si nous tenons compte des diff\u00e9rences d\u00e9mographiques acceptables, nombre de nos circonscriptions rurales restent malgr\u00e9 tout immenses. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648553\" data-originallang=\"en\"> Il est difficile de repr\u00e9senter ces circonscriptions, m\u00eame si l\u2019on tire le meilleur parti possible des technologies des communications et si l\u2019on affecte des ressources suppl\u00e9mentaires. Ma coll\u00e8gue de <a data-HoCid=\"170884\" href=\"/politicians/leona-aglukkaq/\" title=\"Leona Aglukkaq\">Nunavut</a>, la <a data-HoCid=\"128707\" href=\"/politicians/leona-aglukkaq/\" title=\"Leona Aglukkaq\">ministre de la Sant\u00e9</a>, doit presque toujours prendre l\u2019avion pour se rendre dans les collectivit\u00e9s de sa circonscription. Mon coll\u00e8gue de <a data-HoCid=\"170607\" href=\"/politicians/rob-clarke/\" title=\"Rob Clarke\">Desneth\u00e9\u2014Missinippi\u2014Churchill River</a> repr\u00e9sente toute la moiti\u00e9 septentrionale de la Saskatchewan. C\u2019est immense. Notre coll\u00e8gue du NPD, la d\u00e9put\u00e9e de <a data-HoCid=\"170756\" href=\"/politicians/niki-ashton/\" title=\"Niki Ashton\">Churchill</a>, a une circonscription qui couvre plus de la moiti\u00e9 septentrionale du Manitoba. Les circonscriptions du Nord de l\u2019Ontario, du Nord du Qu\u00e9bec, du Nord de la Colombie-Britannique et du Nord de l\u2019Alberta sont elles aussi tr\u00e8s vastes. Des circonscriptions de cette taille posent non seulement des probl\u00e8mes en mati\u00e8re de distances et de communications aux d\u00e9put\u00e9s, mais aussi un \u00e9norme probl\u00e8me de temps. Il faut parfois des heures de voiture ou d\u2019avion pour rejoindre les collectivit\u00e9s de ces circonscriptions des r\u00e9gions rurales et septentrionales. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648554\" data-originallang=\"en\"> La Chambre accorde des ressources financi\u00e8res suppl\u00e9mentaires aux d\u00e9put\u00e9s de ces r\u00e9gions, mais en fin de compte, les d\u00e9put\u00e9s n\u2019ont pas plus de temps pour visiter leurs \u00e9lecteurs. J\u2019ai autant de temps \u00e0 consacrer \u00e0 la visite de mes \u00e9lecteurs que mon coll\u00e8gue de <a data-HoCid=\"170762\" href=\"/politicians/greg-rickford/\" title=\"Greg Rickford\">Kenora</a>. Par contre, moi, je peux me rendre \u00e0 pied dans bien des centres communautaires de ma circonscription, et je peux traverser toute la circonscription en voiture en quelques minutes. Nos coll\u00e8gues des r\u00e9gions septentrionales et rurales n\u2019ont pas ce luxe. Ils doivent faire des heures de voiture ou d\u2019avion pour se rendre dans diff\u00e9rents centres communautaires. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648555\" data-originallang=\"en\"> La superficie de Kenora, par exemple, \u00e9quivaut \u00e0 plus de la moiti\u00e9 de l\u2019Alberta. Kenora occupe un territoire sup\u00e9rieur \u00e0 celui de la Pologne et tr\u00e8s sup\u00e9rieur \u00e0 ceux de nombreux pays du monde. Nous ne pouvons pas imposer une formule qui accentuerait encore ces probl\u00e8mes de temps et de distances, cela serait tout \u00e0 fait injuste pour les d\u00e9put\u00e9s qui repr\u00e9sentent ces circonscriptions. C\u2019est le choix que nous avons fait. Cette d\u00e9cision contribue \u00e0 l\u2019\u00e9quilibre que nous avons atteint dans ce projet de loi, et cet \u00e9quilibre est important. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648556\" data-originallang=\"en\"> Nous n\u2019avons jamais dit que notre projet de loi \u00e9tait parfait: il \u00e9tablit un \u00e9quilibre entre des principes concurrents. Nous affirmons toutefois que c\u2019est un \u00e9quilibre \u00e9quitable, un bon \u00e9quilibre, un \u00e9quilibre que nous devrions tous pouvoir appuyer au bout du compte. Nous combinons la repr\u00e9sentation \u00e9quitable des provinces qui ont une forte croissance et la protection du nombre de si\u00e8ges des provinces o\u00f9 la croissance est lente. Nous reconnaissons d\u2019une part que les r\u00e9gions dens\u00e9ment peupl\u00e9es qui connaissent une rapide croissance d\u00e9mographique ont besoin d\u2019un nombre \u00e9quitable de d\u00e9put\u00e9s et nous veillons d\u2019autre part \u00e0 ce que nos circonscriptions rurales et septentrionales ne grandissent pas trop ou gardent la m\u00eame taille. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648557\" data-originallang=\"en\"> Nous donnons un poids \u00e9lectoral beaucoup plus \u00e9quitable aux Canadiens qui vivent en r\u00e9gion urbaine, aux n\u00e9o-Canadiens, aux membres de minorit\u00e9s visibles et \u00e0 ceux qui vivent dans une province sous-repr\u00e9sent\u00e9e. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648558\" data-originallang=\"en\"> Nous pr\u00e9voyons aussi une formule qui ne p\u00e9nalise pas les petites provinces et n\u2019entra\u00eene pas une sous-repr\u00e9sentation des provinces actuellement surrepr\u00e9sent\u00e9es. Nous estimons qu\u2019il s\u2019agit d\u2019un juste \u00e9quilibre, d\u2019une solution qui repose sur des principes largement partag\u00e9s et facilement reconnus. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648559\" data-originallang=\"en\"> Je signale que, pour parvenir \u00e0 cet \u00e9quilibre, le gouvernement s\u2019attaque au probl\u00e8me de la sous-repr\u00e9sentation en respectant la repr\u00e9sentation des petites provinces. Il s\u2019agit d\u2019un engagement que le gouvernement et le Parti conservateur ont pris il y a longtemps. Les Canadiens ont accord\u00e9 au gouvernement un mandat solide pour agir en ce sens, et il va tenir parole.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648560\" data-originallang=\"en\"> La Loi sur la repr\u00e9sentation \u00e9quitable est juste pour tous les Canadiens et pas seulement pour certaines provinces. Il s\u2019agit d\u2019un investissement mesur\u00e9 qui rapprochera tous les Canadiens de la repr\u00e9sentation proportionnelle. Une juste repr\u00e9sentation selon la population permet \u00e0 tous les d\u00e9put\u00e9s d\u2019assurer \u00e0 leurs \u00e9lecteurs des services satisfaisants. Dans l\u2019agglom\u00e9ration torontoise et dans <a data-HoCid=\"170886\" href=\"/politicians/ted-opitz/\" title=\"Ted Opitz\">Etobicoke-Centre</a>, il est essentiel pour moi et mon personnel de veiller \u00e0 ce que les \u00e9lecteurs re\u00e7oivent des bureaux de circonscription l\u2019aide \u00e0 laquelle ils ont droit.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648561\" data-originallang=\"en\"> Enfin, la Loi sur la repr\u00e9sentation \u00e9quitable pr\u00e9voit que la formule de r\u00e9partition des si\u00e8ges appliquera une r\u00e8gle sur la repr\u00e9sentation. Si une province devient sous-repr\u00e9sent\u00e9e par suite de l\u2019application de la nouvelle formule, des si\u00e8ges suppl\u00e9mentaires lui seront accord\u00e9s pour que sa repr\u00e9sentation corresponde \u00e0 sa part de la population. Sur la foi des estimations d\u00e9mographiques, le Qu\u00e9bec sera la premi\u00e8re province \u00e0 recevoir de nouveaux si\u00e8ges pour \u00e9viter d\u2019\u00eatre sous-repr\u00e9sent\u00e9e \u00e0 cause de l\u2019application de la nouvelle formule. Le Qu\u00e9bec a 23 p. 100 de la population et il aura 23 p. 100 des si\u00e8ges aux Communes. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648562\" data-originallang=\"en\"> Bien que la r\u00e8gle de la repr\u00e9sentation s\u2019applique \u00e0 l\u2019\u00e9chelle nationale et vaille pour toutes les provinces qui se retrouvent dans ce genre de situation, il s\u2019agit d\u2019une mesure reposant sur des principes dont le but est d\u2019\u00e9viter que les petites provinces et celles dont la croissance est plus lente ne soient sous-repr\u00e9sent\u00e9es ult\u00e9rieurement et de faire en sorte que leur repr\u00e9sentation corresponde \u00e0 leur part de la population. Voil\u00e0 qui est juste et \u00e9quitable. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648563\" data-originallang=\"en\">En plus de la nouvelle formule d'attribution des si\u00e8ges, le projet de loi <a data-HoCid=\"5194714\" href=\"/bills/41-1/C-20/\" title=\"An Act to amend the Constitution Act, 1867, the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act and the Canada Elections Act\">C-20</a> propose aussi des modifications \u00e0 la Loi sur la r\u00e9vision des limites des circonscriptions \u00e9lectorales, qui \u00e9nonce les modalit\u00e9s de la r\u00e9vision des limites des circonscriptions \u00e9lectorales lorsque la r\u00e9partition des si\u00e8ges par province est connue. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648564\" data-originallang=\"en\">Selon les d\u00e9lais actuels, cela pourrait prendre de 30 \u00e0 38 mois pour terminer le processus de r\u00e9vision apr\u00e8s la publication des r\u00e9sultats du recensement. Cela signifie que le processus ne serait pas termin\u00e9 avant novembre 2014. Les changements propos\u00e9s dans le projet de loi visent \u00e0 raccourcir les d\u00e9lais actuels dans le processus de r\u00e9vision des limites des circonscriptions \u00e9lectorales, de fa\u00e7on \u00e0 acc\u00e9l\u00e9rer le processus. Ces changements permettraient de terminer le processus de r\u00e9vision des limites des circonscriptions \u00e9lectorales au d\u00e9but de 2014. Je pense que tous les partis repr\u00e9sent\u00e9s \u00e0 la Chambre en profiteraient.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648565\" data-originallang=\"en\">Durant les audiences du Comit\u00e9 permanent de la proc\u00e9dure et des affaires de la Chambre, tant Marc Mayrand, l'actuel directeur g\u00e9n\u00e9ral des \u00e9lections, que Jean-Pierre Kingsley, son pr\u00e9d\u00e9cesseur, ont soulign\u00e9 que ces modifications sont conformes aux recommandations qu'ils avaient faites et que l'\u00e9ch\u00e9ancier ne poserait aucun probl\u00e8me. Voici ce qu'a d\u00e9clar\u00e9 M. Mayrand: </p>\n<blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"2648566\" data-originallang=\"en\"> Nous sommes confiants que les commissions et nous serons en mesure d'aller de l'avant et de mettre en oeuvre la nouvelle formule et les autres dispositions de la loi sans trop de difficult\u00e9s, pourvu qu'elle soit promulgu\u00e9e \u00e0 temps. </p>\n</blockquote><p data-HoCid=\"2648567\" data-originallang=\"en\">La Loi sur la repr\u00e9sentation \u00e9quitable permettra au gouvernement de respecter son engagement de longue date \u00e0 cet \u00e9gard. Les provinces dont la population cro\u00eet le plus rapidement, \u00e0 savoir l'Ontario, l'Alberta et la Colombie-Britannique, seront mieux repr\u00e9sent\u00e9es en fonction de leur population, les provinces dont la population cro\u00eet moins rapidement garderont le m\u00eame nombre de si\u00e8ges et le Qu\u00e9bec aura une repr\u00e9sentation proportionnelle \u00e0 sa population. </p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648568\" data-originallang=\"en\">La nouvelle formule corrige un d\u00e9s\u00e9quilibre de longue date sur le plan de la repr\u00e9sentation d\u00e9mocratique entre les diff\u00e9rentes provinces de notre f\u00e9d\u00e9ration. En r\u00e9sum\u00e9, c'est la meilleure formule pour assurer une repr\u00e9sentation \u00e9quitable fond\u00e9e sur des principes. Elle est raisonnable, elle est fond\u00e9e sur des principes et elle peut \u00eatre appliqu\u00e9e \u00e0 l'\u00e9chelle nationale. Plus important encore, elle est juste envers tous les Canadiens. Elle assurera une meilleure repr\u00e9sentation aux Canadiens qui vivent dans les provinces \u00e0 croissance rapide tout en pr\u00e9servant la repr\u00e9sentation des provinces plus petites ou \u00e0 croissance plus lente. Elle rapprocherait le Canada d'une repr\u00e9sentation selon la population.</p>\n<p data-HoCid=\"2648569\" data-originallang=\"en\">J'esp\u00e8re que tous les d\u00e9put\u00e9s en conviendront et appuieront le projet de loi afin que nous puissions r\u00e9tablir une repr\u00e9sentation \u00e9quitable \u00e0 la Chambre.</p>"
    },
    "url": "/debates/2011/12/13/ted-opitz-2/",
    "politician_url": "/politicians/ted-opitz/",
    "politician_membership_url": "/politicians/memberships/4078/",
    "procedural": false,
    "source_id": "5366333",
    "h1": {
        "en": "Government Orders",
        "fr": "Initiatives minist\u00e9rielles"
    },
    "h2": {
        "en": "Fair Representation Act",
        "fr": "Loi sur la repr\u00e9sentation \u00e9quitable"
    },
    "document_url": "/debates/2011/12/13/",
    "related": {
        "document_speeches_url": "/speeches/?document=%2Fdebates%2F2011%2F12%2F13%2F"
    }
}