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Rick Mercer Delivers Rare Rave About Political Rivals Working Together

"I don't know what this means but I kinda like it."

Who would have thought the action of a former member of Stephen Harper's inner circle could draw praise from Rick Mercer?

The CBC comedian tackled the weighty subject of electoral reform on the “Rick Mercer Report” Tuesday, making special note of “something astounding” that happened last week.

First, he brought up a group called Every Voter Counts, an organization with the singular goal to advance the calls for a “fair voting” by ditching the current first-past-the-post system.

“... kind of like Darth Vader sitting down with the Ewoks to fight climate change.”

Then he folded in the shock of Guy Giorno, Harper’s ex-chief of staff, adding his name to those keen on changing the current electoral system for proportional representation.

“Just to be clear, Stephen Harper's chief of staff sitting down with the Ed Broadbent people is kind of like Darth Vader sitting down with the Ewoks to fight climate change,” Mercer said.

“I don't know what this means but I kinda like it. Smart people, political rivals coming together with one goal—improve our democracy,” he continued. “These are very interesting times indeed.”

The previous Conservative government rejected calls to hold a referendum to change Canada’s democratic process. Giorno’s advocacy is a significant departure from his party line. Mercer described the issue as “the Green Party's all-time favourite fantasy.”

Last year, interim Conservative Leader Rona Ambrose warned the Liberal government to be “very careful” with the idea of making significant democratic changes.

In November, Trudeau tapped MP Maryam Monsef as democratic institutions minister charged with handling electoral reform.

Recently, the rookie politician conceded that there are some advantages to the country’s current voting system, but added that a mature democracy, such as Canada, can do better without reopening the Constitution.

Also on HuffPost:

Maryam Monsef, Democratic Institutions Minister

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