Editorial
Citizens assembly has potential to do good, if only more people knew about it

We share the frustration that Councillor Bill Cober has expressed over the Ontario Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform.

At first glance, this assembly appears to working diligently toward possible reform and improvements to the electoral system in the province. The only problem we have with it, as things stand now, is the same one that Cober has. This assembly has not done a particularly good job of promoting itself or its activities.

And considering this group is currently seeking public input, the reality is people cannot comment on something if they don't know such comments are being solicited.

That is a pity, because it seems this assembly is taking a somewhat more constructive approach than what some cynics might have come to expect from a government operation.

It's not unique or unusual for groups of citizens to be consulted by government. There have been, however, instances in which the objective of such consultation has not been clearly spelled out. In some cases, these procedures can be manipulated to result in a predetermined result, which government can translate into policies that it had in mind in the first place.

Such does not appear to be case in this situation. The indication is government is looking for a possible policy, and asking a group of randomly selected people to come up with it. There is also the promise of a referendum at the end of it all, meaning the voters, those people who pay the bills and who are supposed to call the shots, will actually have the chance to do just that.

It's apparent that there is no shortage of options on the table, including the status quo. That is good to hear. While the current system might not be perfect, it might be the one that people prefer. If so, then so be it.

If only more people knew about this process, and were able to take part.