To register online, but pay by cheque or pay at the door, press Order Now, and on the next screen - in the lower left corner - you will see the other payment options.

[Note: to register by phone call 647-519-7585. To register by mail, send cheque payable to "Fair Vote Canada" to: Fair Vote Canada, 26 Maryland Blvd., Toronto, ON M4C 5C9.]

The registration table at the Law Faculty will be open at 8am on Feb 21st.

Fair Vote Ontario – A Public Forum

"Please Sir, I Want Some Democracy!”

Moving Forward on Voting Reform in Canada

Saturday, February 21, 2009 at

Hosted by: Law Faculty, University of Toronto, Flavelle House, 78 Queen’s Park Crescent West, Toronto

(Agenda subject to change and additional speakers may be confirmed)

We are unable to guarantee that a lunch will be provided unless we receive your registration online, by phone or by mail by Wednesday, February 18, 2009.

This forum will examine and provide opportunities for participants to discuss strategies for Ontarians to help advance voting reform at the federal and provincial levels. All fair voting supporters – veterans and newcomers alike – are invited to join us for this important event.

Agenda

All sessions will include a question/answer period.

Optional early bird session

8:30 PR for Dummies: A short intro to proportional representation

Wayne Smith, former president of Fair Vote Canada

Conference

9:00 Welcome: Linda Sheppard, Chair, Fair Vote Ontario

        Introduction: MC for the day - Camille Labchuk

9:05 Opening Address: Moving Forward on Voting Reform

Dr. Marie Bountrogianni, former Ont. Minister for Democratic Renewal

9:30 Setting the context: Why Talk About Electoral Reform Processes, Models, Strategies?

Larry Gordon, Executive Director, Fair Vote Canada

9:45 Q and A Session

10:00 The Way Forward:

What Reform Process Should We Promote?

What are possible next steps to move electoral reform forward provincially and federally: royal commission, a cross-Canada Citizens’ Assembly, a multi-stage referendum process?

Moderator: Matthew Mendelsohn, former deputy minister of democratic reform; currently on the faculty at the University of Toronto

Presenter: Dr. Jonathan Rose, Queens University, former Academic Director of the Ontario Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform

Presenter: Patrick Boyer, former Progressive Conservative MP, author of numerous books on democratic renewal of Canada

11:15 Refreshment Break

11:30 Exploring Alternatives: What Fair Voting Systems Should We Consider for Ontario and Canada

Moderator: Wayne Smith, former president, Fair Vote Canada

Presenter: Dr. Henry Milner, University of Montreal, author of of Making Every Vote Count

Presenter: Stuart Parker, former leader, BC Green Party

12:45 Lunch ( included in forum fee )

1:30 Break-out Groups

1) BC-STV Campaign - how Ontarians can help with the BC-STV referendum campaign - Stuart Parker, facilitator

2) Reform Processes and Models -- continue from morning discussion - Victoria Serda, facilitator

3) Engaging Youth – Dave Meslin/Louisa Moya, facilitators

 2:30 Break-out Groups – Reports

 2:45 How I Would Put Electoral Reform Back on the Agenda

Moderator: Victoria Serda

Andrew Coyne, National Editor, Maclean’s, political commentator

Bruce Cox, Executive Director, Greenpeace Canada, former NDP campaign director

Jim Harris, former leader, Green Party of Canada

 4:15 Forum Wrap-up

 4:30 Adjourn

 For more detailed maps and directions go to the following website: Faculty of Law, University of Toronto