The federal government will not pursue electoral change.
In a mandate letter to new Democratic Institutions Minister Karina Gould, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated that finding a replacement for first past the post is no longer a priority for the government.
The announcement comes after multiple cross-country meetings with the public and a lengthy debate among a committee.
The letter to Gould also dismissed the idea of holding a referendum stating that “without a clear preference or a clear question” it would not be in Canada’s interest.
But Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb says electoral reform was a main pillar in the election campaign.
"If you go back as early as June 2015, Justin said that this will be the last election first past the post," says Lobb. "If you go into a process for democratic reform and you find out Canadians, through all of these committees, wanted proportional representation and it doesn't mesh with what you wanted so you just give up, it's really a betrayal."
In the House of Commons Wednesday, Trudeau told MPs it would be irresponsible for his government to do anything that would harm Canada's stability, and there was no clear electoral reform mandate from Canadians.
-With files from Miranda Chant
