NDP calls on Tory MPs to defeat controversial overhaul of election laws

OTTAWA – NDP Leader Tom Mulcair is making one last appeal to Conservative MPs to vote against their government’s controversial overhaul of election rules.

New Democrats say the so-called Fair Elections Act remains a travesty, even though the government has backed off some of the most contentious provisions.

Mulcair is urging 20 Tory MPs, who’ve shown an interest in promoting and protecting democracy in the past, to show the courage of their convictions when it comes to Bill C-23.

MPs will spend several hours later today voting on proposed amendments, including 45 initiated by the government after the original bill was panned by electoral experts in Canada and abroad.

Mulcair says the amendments don’t go far enough to redeem the bill, which he claims is aimed at ensuring the Conservatives can cheat during elections without getting caught.

A final Commons vote on the bill is scheduled for Tuesday evening, after which it will be sent to the Conservative-dominated Senate for approval.