Debate gets ugly as Conservatives push forward with electoral reform bill

OTTAWA – The Conservative bill on electoral reform is in the final stages of review at a Commons committee, and things are getting ugly.

After long hours of scrutiny of each of the Fair Elections Act’s many clauses, only two technical amendments by the opposition have been approved so far.

NDP MP David Christopherson grew frustrated when the committee rejected a proposal to ensure voter information cards are clearly marked to indicate they are not considered valid ID.

Much of the debate around the bill has been about the government eliminating vouching and voter information cards for people who cannot produce the right identification at polling stations.

Christopherson says the government’s attitude to the amendments proves the entire bill was always about keeping certain Canadians from voting.

Conservative MP Scott Reid took great offence at Christopherson’s comments, which he described as painting the Tories as bigoted and racist.