News Releases - 2011

Getting Things Done for Canadians: Harper Government Delivering on Democratic Reform Commitments

Ottawa, ON (December 16, 2011) – The Harper Government delivered on two key democratic reform commitments with the Royal Assent of the Budget Implementation Act, which contains measures eliminating the per-vote subsidy for political parties, and with the Royal Assent of the Fair Representation Act, which updates the formula allocating House of Commons seats to provinces.

Getting Things Done for Canadians: Harper Government Delivering on Rep-By-Pop Commitment

Ottawa, ON (December 13, 2011) – The Harper Government today welcomed the passage of the Fair Representation Act through the House of Commons. This legislation, now before the Senate, will move every single Canadian towards representation by population.

Harper Government Welcomes Passage of Rep-By-Pop Bill at Second Reading

Ottawa, ON (November 3, 2011) – The Hon. Tim Uppal, Minister of State (Democratic Reform), today made the following statement on the passage at second reading and referral to committee of the Fair Representation Act:

“Canadians living in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta have become significantly underrepresented as their populations have grown.

Harper Government is Committed to Closing Political Financing Loophole

Ottawa, ON (November 2, 2011) – The Hon. Tim Uppal, Minister of State (Democratic Reform), along with Jacques Gourde, Member of Parliament for Lotbinière–Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, today reaffirmed the Harper Government’s longstanding commitment to strengthening Canada’s democratic institutions by re-introducing the Political Loans Accountability Act.

Fair Representation Act Moves Every Province Towards Rep-By-Pop

Brampton, ON (October 27, 2011) – The Harper Government today announced the introduction of the Fair Representation Act. This legislation will move every province towards representation by population in the House of Commons.

Harper Government welcomes New Brunswick's commitment to Senate nominee consultations

Ottawa, ON (October 1, 2011) – Today, New Brunswick Premier David Alward committed to introducing legislation establishing a provincial Senate nominee consultation process.

“Our Government believes that Canadians deserve more democratic, effective and accountable institutions, so we applaud this commitment by the New Brunswick government,” said Tim Uppal, Canada’s Minister of State for Democratic Reform. “We look forward to working with the province as it moves forward on strengthening the voice of New Brunswickers in the Senate.”

Harper Government Introduces the Senate Reform Act

Ottawa, ON (June 21, 2011) – Today, the Harper government introduced the Senate Reform Act to make the Senate more democratic, accountable, and representative of Canadians.

Harper Government welcomes British Columbia's Senate Nominee Election Act

Ottawa, ON (June 2, 2011) – Minister of State for Democratic Reform, Tim Uppal, today released the following statement in response to the introduction of the Senate Nominee Election Act into the legislature of British Columbia:

"The Harper Government welcomes British Columbia’s initiative towards creating a more open, accountable, and effective Senate.

We call on all provinces to move forward with democratic processes to select Senate nominees so that Canadians will have a greater say in who represents them in the Senate of Canada.