WIDE MAJORITY OF CARP MEMBERS SUPPORT CHONG REFORM BILL

Michael_Chong

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 5, 2014

Most think it will make parliament more accountable

Toronto, ON: Three quarters of CARP members approve of MP Michael Chong’s proposed parliamentary Reform Bill; they think it will lead to real reforms in parliament and two thirds think it will make parliament more accountable.

While just one third of CARP members are aware of MP Michael Chong’s proposed parliamentary Reform Bill, fully three quarters give it their approval when its key points are described to them, the same proportion think it will lead to real reforms in parliament and two thirds think it will make parliament more accountable. [Poll Report appended at end]

Chong mentions CARP Poll in Parliament

MP Michael Chong mentioned the results of the CARP Poll on his Reform Bill in parliament today, before Question Period.

CARP members are high turnout, well-informed voters

“The members who respond to our political polls are some of the most thoughtful, engaged and well-informed Canadian voters. Turnout of voters over 60 is more than 70%; and 95% of CARP members say they vote all the time. They have the experience and the accumulated knowledge to distinguish between spin and genuine reform, and they see Michael Chong’s bill as a genuine attempt at reform”, said Susan Eng, VP Advocacy for CARP.

Methodology

The CARP Poll was conducted between January 24 and 27 among a sample of more than 3,000 members. The margin of error for a probability sample of this size is plus or minus 2%, 19 out of 20 times.

CARP is a national, non-partisan, non-profit organization committed to advocating for a New Vision of Aging for Canada, social change that will bring financial security, equitable access to health care and freedom from discrimination. CARP seeks to ensure that the marketplace serves the needs and expectations of our generation and provides value-added benefits, products and services to our members. Through our network of chapters across Canada, CARP is dedicated to building a sense of community and shared values among our members in support of CARP’s mission.

For further information, please contact:

Sarah Park   416.607.2471
Media Relations, Policy Researcher and Coordinator
[email protected]

Michael Nicin   416.607.2479
Director of Policy
[email protected]

Siobhan MacLean 416.607.2475
Media and Communications Coordinator
[email protected]

for

Susan Eng
Vice President, Advocacy
[email protected]

 

CARP, A New Vision of Aging for Canada

or visit our website: www.carp.ca

 

CARP Reform Bill Poll Report

February 7, 2013

 

Key Findings

One third have heard of MP Michael Chong’s parliamentary reform bill, but as many as three quarters approve of it when it is described to them, and similar proportions think it will lead to reforms in parliament (three quarters) and greater accountability (two thirds).

Detailed Findings

Just more than one third of members have heard of MP Michael Chong’s parliamentary Reform Bill (37%).

Have you heard of MP Michael Chong and his proposed Reform of Parliament Bill?

Yes

37%

No

63%

 

Three quarters approve of the bill after having it explained (76%), and one third express their approval in the strongest terms (34%).

This bill would make three key changes in whether the leader or elected MPs have the most influence over caucus – first, the party leader would no longer be able to appoint or select candidates, they would be selected by the riding association. Second, it would make party caucus chair a position elected by caucus members and not appointed by the leader and it would also rule out summary expulsion of members from caucus without a vote by caucus members. Third, it would ensure that the leaders term could be reviewed and terminated by caucus and a new leader elected by the party membership. Do you approve or disapprove of this bill?

APPROVE

76%

   Approve strongly

   34%

   Approve

   42%

DISAGREE

9%

   Disapprove

   6%

   Disapprove strongly

   3%

NO NEED FOR PARLIAMENTARY REFORM

1%

DON’T KNOW

15%

 

Three quarters agree the measures contained in the bill will lead to reform of parliament (72%), and more than a third express this as significant reform (38%).

Do you see these proposed changes as a significant reform to how political parties are run, or not?

REFORM

72%

   Significant reform

   38%

   Reform

   34%

NO CHANGE

12%

   Not much change

   10%

   No change at all

   2%

NO NEED FOR PARLIAMENTARY REFORM

3%

DONT KNOW

13%

 

Two thirds of members think the proposed bill would improve accountability of parliament (69%), and this viewpoint is held strongly by one quarter (25%).

Do you think the Reform Bill would improve the accountability of Parliament to voters or not?

WOULD IMPROVE ACOUNTABILITY

69%

   A great deal

   25%

   Somewhat

   44%

WOULD NOT IMPROVE ACCOUNTABILITY

18%

   Wouldn’t do much

   12%

   Wouldn’t do anything at all

   6%

NO NEED FOR PARLIAMENTARY ACCOUNTABILITY

1%

DON’T KNOW

13%

 

More than 3100 CARP Poll panel members responded to this poll between January 24 and 27, 2014. The margin of error for a probability sample this size is about plus or minus 2%, 19 times out of 20