London Councillor Stephen Orser says with a $10-million investment at stake, Londoners should be asked whether they support funding a new performing arts centre so the decision is not left up to politicians.
Orser has filed the paperwork with the city clerk to have the referendum question - known technically as a plebiscite - added to the municipal ballot next October.
"What I am saying is simple. Let the people decide if we finance a performing arts centre."
But getting a plebiscite on the ballot is anything but simple, the seldom used democratic tool first requires the approval of city council.
And Orser believes council isn't listening to taxpayers regarding the potential $10-million investment in a new performing arts centre.
"It's long overdue that people speak up about issues that are going to affect them for 20 or 30 years."
Councillor Harold Usher says the decision to fund a performing arts centre isn't a good enough reason for a plebiscite.
"If we are going to put a plebiscite on the table we had better be sure it's something worth while. I can't think of any issue we can't decide like we were voted in to do."
The primary criticism of plebiscites is that rather than make the decision easier - they can make it harder.
A plebiscite is only binding if more than 50 per cent of eligible voters participate, and past turnout for municipal elections in London hasn't come close to that requirement.
That means the result would likely be little more than a recommendation, and a narrow margin between yes and no could cloud the issue.
But Orser says any result should be honoured as a direction from the public, even if turnout is low, "If the vote is good enough to elect, it is good enough to direct."
He must now wait to argue his case for a plebiscite in front of the Corporate Services Committee on January 7 before it goes to council a week later.
