More than 100 “democra-geeks” came out to the Coast High Country Inn Wednesday to talk electoral reform at a gathering hosted by Maryam Monsef, the federal minister of democratic institutions.

“I would really appreciate your help because you seem to be what millennials call ‘geeking out’ about democracy,” said Monsef to the room of engaged citizens.

“You are the ‘democra-geeks’ of your community, I consider you ambassadors.”

Monsef was in Whitehorse as part of a trans-Canada tour during which she’ll host similar public forums in every province and territory.

The goal is to hear views and concerns from a cross-section of Canadians on a variety of questions, from how we vote (should we be able to vote online?) to how votes translate into seats in parliament (should we scrap the first-past-the-post system?) to mandatory voting.

Monsef said she believes the tour will provide “a better understanding of the nuances that different regions across the country feel are most important for their electoral system.”

She hopes to hear a diversity of voices, and from as many people as possible.

The alternative, she said, “would have been for us in a room in Ottawa, (to) draft the legislation and bring it to the House of Commons for consideration and then that would be it.”

Still, some wondered if the group that showed up to the event Wednesday night was indeed an accurate representation of Yukoners.

Anticipating this, Monsef kicked off discussions by asking those present to consider who was absent.

“Inmates,” said one woman; “Children,” said a man; “99 per cent of Yukon,” voiced a third. People with intellectual disabilities, First Nations representation, rural Yukoners and people under age 30 were also mentioned.

Crowd members had the opportunity to express their views on a range of subjects related to voting, and the democratic process more broadly.

Some expressed concerns about the vulnerability of an online voting system to hacks, and that voter anonymity could be compromised.

Others said online voting would engage young people (“they live in an online world,” said one middle-aged woman), and open up access to “busy voters”, or voters who can’t easily take time off work to stand in line at the polls.

Monsef asked the crowd to consider compulsory voting: What kinds of punishments or incentives should there be?

Some people proposed tax rebates to those who could prove they cast a ballot.

One man suggested, cheekily, jail time.

Others still submitted that voting may go against a person’s cultural or religious beliefs, and that a forced vote may constitute an infringement of Charter rights.

A younger woman in the crowd noted that some indigenous peoples do not feel they are part of Canada and do not wish to vote in a system that is not their own.

After discussions wrapped up, Monsef explained that community gatherings are just one way the government is soliciting views on reforms that could fundamentally alter the democratic process in this country.

“This is one of many channels that people have... to get engaged,” said Monsef.

She noted that Canadians are encouraged to reach out over social media, and make their voices heard at town halls, like the one Yukon MP Larry Bagnell is hosting this evening at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre.

“We’re going to do our best to hear from as many people as we can so that the final outcome is as representative as possible,” she said.

When asked if the government would consider a referendum on electoral reform, Monsef said, as she has before, that she doesn’t want to go down that road.

“(Referendums) tend to be divisive,” she told the Star. “The aftermath requires healing for communities and nations.”

The minister said she is confident that community outreach, as well as a report from an all-party committee on electoral reform, will be sufficient. Next month, the 12-member Special Committee on Electoral Reform, which includes the

Bloc Quebecois and Elizabeth May of the Green Party, sets off on its own cross-Canada tour.

It is tasked with consulting with Canadians “from all walks of life”, and will submit a report to the House of Commons on Dec. 1.

The special committee will be in Whitehorse Sept. 26.

Legislation will be tabled in the House this spring, said Monsef.

The Liberals campaigned on the promise that 2015 would be the last year a federal election was decided using the first-past-the-post (FPTP) system.

But what if it’s determined that Canadians don’t want a change? A number of Yukoners at the event Wednesday said they considered FPTP to be a “strong” system.

Monsef did not reject the possibility of keeping the electoral system as is.

“If at the end of the committee’s work, in hearing from experts and academics and Canadians as well, if the letters and the social media conversations say that Canadians want

System X, we’re going to deliver System X,” she said.

“Because ultimately, this is for them, this is their electoral system.