Premier allows MLAs to weigh in freely on electoral reform

Cabinet ministers and MLAs are free to participate fully in P.E.I.'s upcoming plebiscite on electoral reform, says Premier Wade MacLauchlan.

And that includes expressing opinions on what system they prefer, he said.

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MacLauchlan opened the door for government members in an opinion piece in the Charlottetown Guardian on Saturday.

"For this democratic exercise to be effective the first requirement is for all Prince Edward Island voters to give full and fair consideration to the five options presented and express their views," MacLauchlan wrote.

"My main plea is to ask all participants to encourage healthy debate."

The plebiscite from Oct. 29 to Nov. 7 will include voting online, by telephone, and at physical polling stations. It will give Islanders the choice of five different electoral systems.

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