IN THE NEWS
January, 2005

Response to Letter to Premier Dalton McGuinty

January 14, 2005
Ms. Rosemary Speirs
Chair
Equal Voice
1815 Altona Road
Pickering, Ontario
L1V 1M6
Dear Ms. Speirs:

Thank you for writing to me about women's representation in government and our efforts
to revitalize our democratic institutions. I welcome your views on this important issue.
My colleagues and I believe it is vital to have effective representation of women in our
democratic system. Our government will involve Ontarians directly in improving the quality
of our democracy, modernizing our political institutions, and restoring public faith in
government. We established the Democratic Renewal Secretariat, the first of its kind in
Ontario, to modernize our democratic institutions so that they more fully reflect the
realities of the 21st century.

I am pleased to announce that our government has created a Citizens' Assembly, with
members from communities across Ontario, to re-examine our first-past-the-post electoral
system and recommend possible changes. If the assembly recommends an alternative, we
will hold a referendum on that alternative. In addition, we will establish a citizens' jury —
which will be asked to make recommendations to the government regarding changes in
how provincial political parties and election campaigns are financed.

I appreciate the specific issues you raised. As they will also be of interest to the
Honourable Michael Bryant, Minister Responsible for Democratic Renewal, I have passed
along a copy of your correspondence to him for his information.

The people of Ontario deserve to have direct input in their democratic institutions, and we
are eager to hear what Ontarians have to say. We have a responsibility to ensure that the
public's voice is heard loud and clear, and has an impact. Thanks again for sharing your
concerns with me. Please accept my best wishes.

Yours truly,
Dalton McGuinty
Premier
c: The Honourable Michael Bryant