Why Canada Needs a
‘None of the Above’ Option

NOTA option would let voters challenge the status quo in politics

By Irwin Rapoport

April 10, 2025

A straightforward reform to our electoral system could significantly enhance Canadian democracy. While the current federal election cycle has passed, implementing this change would greatly increase voter turnout, restore control of the political agenda to the public, and, most importantly, ensure that individual Members of Parliament are more responsive to their constituents. The proposal involves adding a None of the Above (NOTA) option to the ballot, allowing voters to choose NOTA alongside candidates from the Liberal, Conservative, NDP, Bloc Québécois, and Green parties.

A straightforward reform to our electoral system could significantly enhance Canadian democracy.

This simple addition could reshape the political landscape by empowering voters and demanding greater accountability from elected officials. However, achieving such a reform requires widespread public support and a collective determination to challenge the status quo, as it is only through sustained pressure and a unified voice that meaningful change can be realized in the Canadian political system.

None of the Above

Should the None of the Above (NOTA) option receive a minimum of 40 percent of the vote in an election, a new election would be promptly held. In this subsequent election, all previous incumbents would be barred from running. The by-elections would not include the NOTA option, and the results of these elections would be binding.

This system is designed to reflect the true will of the electorate and would eliminate the need for recall legislation. However, implementing such a reform at the federal level would require a majority of Members of Parliament (MPs) from all political parties to demonstrate the courage and commitment necessary to draft and pass the required legislation. Once enacted, this reform could also be extended to provincial, territorial, and municipal levels.

‘This system is designed to reflect the true will of the electorate and would eliminate the need for recall legislation.’

This proposed ballot reform would ensure that incumbents, particularly those prioritizing party loyalty over public service, cannot easily secure re-election. Currently, many MPs, members of provincial legislative assemblies, and municipal councils are re-elected not because they actively address local concerns but because they benefit from party loyalty or voter apathy. While some representatives take their responsibilities seriously and respond to public opinion, others remain disconnected from local issues, focusing instead on pleasing party leaders to secure positions on parliamentary committees or appointments to cabinet roles.

Additionally, a NOTA option would serve as a mechanism for holding political leaders accountable. It would allow voters to express dissatisfaction with the prime minister, leader of the opposition, and other party leaders, effectively putting their political careers on trial.

Candidate selection

Although voters theoretically have the power to shape governments and provide opposition parties with opportunities to govern, this power is often illusory. Federal parties largely control candidate selection through nomination races or direct appointments for specific ridings. These processes limit voter choice and reinforce party dominance.

Increasingly, Canadian prime ministers operate like American presidents, with most cabinet ministers out of the power loop. Most PMs have small executive committees composed of the most powerful cabinet ministers. Furthermore, political party platforms frequently prioritize ideological or populist agendas over practical concerns. Rarely do they address common-sense issues such as economic policy, foreign affairs, fiscal responsibility, environmental sustainability, or other critical matters in a balanced and flexible manner. A NOTA option would challenge this status quo by empowering voters to demand accountability and meaningful representation from their elected officials.

‘Although voters theoretically have the power to shape governments and provide opposition parties with opportunities to govern, this power is often illusory.’

To qualify for a lifetime pension, MPs must serve a minimum of six years in the House of Commons, a threshold easily met by many Conservative and Liberal representatives due to their electoral success. MPs from smaller parties like the NDP, Bloc Québécois, and Green Party face greater challenges, as their political longevity often depends on effectiveness, reputation, and media exposure. While proposals to replace pensions with higher salaries have been suggested, the system remains unchanged.

All MPs should be subject to rigorous voter scrutiny, rewarding those who excel in their roles. However, voter turnout in Canada has been steadily declining, particularly at the municipal level, where participation often falls below 40 percent. This trend underscores the need for reforms to reinvigorate democratic engagement.

Introducing a NOTA option on ballots could empower voters to express dissatisfaction with all candidates without spoiling their votes. If NOTA garners significant support, it could trigger new elections with fresh candidates, increasing accountability and voter influence. Unlike mandatory voting laws in countries like Australia, which penalize non-participation, NOTA offers a constructive way for voters to register discontent.

Canada’s first-past-the-post electoral system often results in majority governments that function as de facto four-year mandates with limited checks between elections. Party dominance also restricts voter choice, as candidates are typically selected by party leadership rather than through open processes. This system marginalizes independent candidates and discourages meaningful competition.

‘Canada’s first-past-the-post electoral system often results in majority governments that function as de facto four-year mandates with limited checks between elections.’

Electoral reform need not be overly complex. Adding a NOTA option is a straightforward step toward revitalizing Canadian democracy by ensuring that voters can hold both parties and individual politicians accountable while fostering greater trust and participation in the political process.

Implementing this proposal requires significant coast-to-coast pressure. The power to enact such change rests with the Canadian people, but the critical question remains: Is there a genuine and widespread will to exercise that power? To make a simple, logical change on a minor issue at any level of government is no piece of cake. It takes determination, knowledge of how the system works, and the patience of Job to deal with the many hurdles that will arise.

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I am not alone in believing that we have a surfeit of ineffective MPs. There are few who set the gold standard for looking out for their constituents and being unafraid to disobey the party whip and PM directly. The late Warren Allmand, veteran MP for NDG, stood up for his principles by voting against the 1995 budget presented by Jean Chretien’s Liberal government.

And just recently, Mount Royal Liberal MP Anthony Housefather was the sole “no” vote for Bill C-13, the legislation that revamped the Official Languages Act. Housefather rejected the bill based on the very real concerns of Quebec’s English-speaking community, which was outraged that the bill recognized an included the provisions Bill 101, the Charter of the French Language and Bill 96, an omnibus bill that strengthened several hundred clauses of Bill 101and other laws in regards to promote and protect the French language via the use of the notwithstanding clause.

MPs who desire to be effective are often forced to remain silent for the sake of party unity, and to mollify them, are rewarded to stay quiet and not rock the boat.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of WestmountMag.ca or its publishers.

Feature image: courtesy of 100possible.ca

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Irwin Rapoport is a freelance journalist and former school commissioner with the Protestant School Board of Greater Montreal (1990-1994). He is currently a candidate in Ward 3 for the English Montreal School Board elections.