Hillier Expands His Call For Voter Recalls

Jeff Green | Nov 20, 2013

Never one to ignore a political opportunity, Lanark, Frontenac Lennox and Addington MPP Randy Hillier wrote to Premier Wynne last week. In his letter, he told the premier that he would be happy to amend the private member's bill on voter recalls that he has been sponsoring to include not only provincial politicians but municipal politicians as well.

Hillier's bill, If passed, would stipulate the recall of any MPP if a petition is signed by 25% of the number of voters who cast a ballot in the previous election. If that threshold is met, a recall election would be initiated in which the incumbent would still be allowed to run for re-election.

Given the publicity surrounding the current mayor of Toronto and some of the comments Premier Wynne has made about that situation, Hillier thought the premier might be more receptive to recalls than she has been in the past. And he points out that it is not only the voters in Toronto who have concerns.

“While voters in Toronto are visibly frustrated, voters in Rockland or London are faced with similar concerns and are receiving far less attention,” said Hillier. “Despite criminal charges laid against the mayors of both these municipalities, voters’ only hope of holding these individuals accountable is either through a conviction or the next election; the delay is disenfranchising,” Hillier said in a media release on Tuesday.

The letter to Premier Wynne, which was sent on November 15, concluded by appealing to the premier’s populist stance. “Since you became premier you havestated that, above all else, you area listener and a conversationalist. I believe that ifyou listen to the voters across ourgreat province, they will tell you they welcome the opportunity to become more involved in our democracy; it is certainly what they have told me.”

As yet, the premier has not responded to MPP Hillier’s letter.