The Liberal government has offered to give two opposition parties control over a legislative committee that will study overhauling the province’s electoral system. The Liberals say they’re willing to give up their majority on the committee to persuade the opposition Progressive Conservatives to join the consultations on new voting systems, a lower voting age, online voting, and other possible changes. Premier Brian Gallant said in question period “We’re not even seeking a majority of the composition” of the eight-member committee, the first time the Liberals have made that concession.
Deputy government House Leader Victor Boudreau told reporters he’s proposing four Liberals, three PCs, and Green Leader David Coon make up the committee. With one of the Liberals likely to become the non-voting chair of the committee, the other parties could outvote the government 4-3. “We want this to be bipartisan, neutral,” Boudreau said.
The PCs say they suspect the committee’s mandate and its outcome are being orchestrated by the Liberals to give themselves an advantage in the next election.
They say they weren’t given copies of the government’s discussion paper until late Tuesday and only learned Wednesday that the Liberals were willing to give up their majority.
Full Article: Opposition parties offered control of electoral reform committee – New Brunswick – CBC News.