2023 Election

In the 2023 election, each party declared the following positions on Proportional Representation.

This is substantially informed by responses to a 2023 Election survey by the PEI Federation of Labour.

PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE

No platform commitments on PR.

What is your party’s position on proportional representation?

Our PC government continues to explore ways to enhance civic engagement and democratic participation on Prince Edward Island. The PC Party commends all candidates that have put their name forward and notes the increase of diversity which will build strong representation in the legislature for all Islanders.

Will you introduce legislation to introduce proportional representation?

Introducing legislation to arbitrarily change the electoral system without sufficient public consultation would be premature.

LIBERAL

No platform commitments on PR.

What is your party’s position on proportional representation?  

A Liberal government is open to continued dialogue with Islanders on the issue of electoral reform.  

Will you introduce legislation to introduce proportional representation?  

In 2019, Islanders voiced their opinion on this issue and voted to keep the current system. Electoral reform is not a platform commitment of a Liberal government, but we remain open to continued dialogue with Islanders on the issue. 

GREEN

Commitment to a Citizens' Assembly, with the first priority being "to determine the model of proportional representation for PEI", and then to legislate Proportional Representation, according to the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly.

See the Green platform on 'Giving Islanders a Greater Say': https://peigreens.ca/Page/28099 

Hear Peter Bevan-Baker's statement from the Equity Forum: https://twitter.com/practionteam/status/1637078049517608960

What is your party’s position on proportional representation? 

The Green Party supports proportional representation, which would produce a legislature that is  more reflective of Islanders’ voting intentions, eliminate the need for “strategic” voting, improve  the representation of women and other diverse groups, and lead to a more collegial legislature. 

 A Green government will convene a citizens’ assembly—a body of randomly selected Islanders—to determine the best model of proportional representation for Prince Edward Island. 

Based on their findings, a Green government would legislate proportional representation without  resorting to another plebiscite. 

 Will you introduce legislation to introduce proportional representation? 

Yes, a Green government will legislate proportional representation, with the specific model to be  determined based on the results of the citizens’ assembly formed for that purpose. We will not resort to another plebiscite. 

NDP

Commitment to "Launch a Citizen’s Assembly on Electoral Reform to examine alternatives to the first-past-the-post system"

See page 38 of their platform: https://www.ndppei.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/NDPPEI-Platform-2023.pdf 

What is your party’s position on proportional representation? 

The first-past-the-post electoral system is insufficiently democratic and needs to be replaced. Proportional representation is a promising alternative that increases the voice of underrepresented voters. There are many forms of proportional representation and it will be important to choose the best system for Prince Edward Island.

Will you introduce legislation to introduce proportional representation? 

We support a Citizens’ Assembly model for determining the best alternative to the first-past-the-post system and solutions to issues such as low voter turnout.

Elected MLAs

Explore the table below, to find the position of each MLA elected in 2023.
Yellow = supports Proportional Representation
Red = does not support, or actively opposes
White = unknown.
If you're having trouble viewing the table below, click here to open in google drive.