NDP wants to force consultation on 'unfair' election law changes

The New Democrats are forcing a debate in the House over whether to hold cross-Canada consultations on the government's proposed changes to federal election laws.

The party is using its opposition day, a day set aside for it to set the subject of debate in the House, to present a motion that would instruct the procedure and House affairs committee to travel the country and seek input from Canadians.

NDP Deputy Leader David Christophersoncalled the Conservatives a "serial-cheating government" that's trying to "pre-cheat" the next election through the proposed changes.

New Democrat MP Craig Scott called the bill the "unfairelections act," playing off the government's title for the bill, the fair elections act.

The Conservatives have more than enough MPs to vote down the NDP's motion, butit will force the Conservatives to defend the decision and to vote publicly on it.

Ending vouching, increasing spending

Scott also called on the ConservativebackbenchMPswho have spoken out againstPrime Minister's Office controlto vote with the opposition on theNDPmotion.

"Yeah, they have a majority, but they also have, what is itwho's counting but 15-20backbencherswho like every now and again to tell the media that they're very concerned about democratic process and the state of their democracy," Scott said.

Minister of State for Democratic Reform Pierre Poilievrepresented bill C-23, changes to the Canada Elections Act, earlier this month. The controversial changes would:

• Limit the chief electoral officer's ability to speak publicly.
• Increase the campaign spending limits and exempt fundraising services from the cap.
• Eliminate vouching, a process that allows people without the required identification to cast ballots.

Critics say vouching in particular would disenfranchise people who don't tend to vote Conservative.

Motion calls for First Nation, anti-poverty witnesses

The motion calls for the committee to hear witnesses from groups including:

• Elections Canada.
• Political parties as defined under the Canada Elections Act.
• Representatives of First Nations.
• Representatives ofanti-poverty groups.
• Representatives of groups forpersons with disabilities.
• Youth advocates and students representatives.
• Specific groups which have been active in society on elections rules.

It also says the committee could hear from Poilievre again. He appeared before the committee last week.

The motionalso givesthe committee the powertotravel to every region in Canada, specifying both downtown urban settings and rural and remote regions.

Travel would happen in March and April 2014, with the committee reviewing the billclause by clause only after thehearings were done, but byMay 1, 2014.

TheNDPearlier this month denied all committee travel in protest of theConservatives' plan to bar the procedure and House affairs committee from going across Canada.