Supreme Court won’t hear case contesting constitutionality of Canada’s voting system

Advertisement

Advertise with us

OTTAWA - The Supreme Court of Canada will not hear an appeal challenging the constitutionality of Canada's first-past-the-post electoral system.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!

As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.

Now, more than ever, we need your support.

Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.

Subscribe Now

or call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.

Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on brandonsun.com
  • Read the Brandon Sun E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
Start now

No thanks

*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.00 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.00 plus GST every four weeks.

OTTAWA – The Supreme Court of Canada will not hear an appeal challenging the constitutionality of Canada’s first-past-the-post electoral system.

The system, set out in the Canada Elections Act, sees the candidate who receives the most votes in a given riding become the member of Parliament.

Fair Voting BC and the Springtide Collective for Democratic Society argued in court that the first-past-the-post system violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms’ guarantee of effective representation.

A sign directs a voter to a Calgary polling station to cast their ballot in the federal election on Monday, April 28, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
A sign directs a voter to a Calgary polling station to cast their ballot in the federal election on Monday, April 28, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

The groups also said the system leads to the under-representation of women and other groups in Parliament, breaching the Charter’s equality rights provision.

The Ontario Superior Court dismissed the challenge in 2023, saying that while a proportional representation system would be a fair alternative to the current approach, it is not required by the Constitution.

The province’s Court of Appeal also rejected the groups’ key arguments.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 2, 2026.

Report Error Submit a Tip

Local

LOAD MORE