Vote change low priority

Photo: File photo

A new system of electing political representation is not a top priority for Canadians.

That's one of several findings from a new Angus Reid poll on electoral reform.

According to the poll, two-thirds of Canadians see changing the current first past the post system as a low priority.

And, if a change were to happen, 75 per cent believe a national referendum should be held.

Angus Reid commissioned the poll in advance of Thursday's final recommendations on electoral reform by a House of Commons committee.

For the survey, participants were provided with sample first past the post ballots, as well as ballots from systems either being proposed to the committee, or are used in other countries.

Respondents overwhelmingly favoured first past the post over the single transferable vote and the rural-urban representation systems.

However, the mixed member proportional, and list proportional representation systems were almost equally preferred to the current system.

Respondents also overwhelmingly found the first past the post ballot was clear to understand. They were divided on other systems.