Charlottetown — Holding a national referendum within a year on changing the way Canadians vote for their MPs will be a key condition of New Democratic support if a minority government is elected on Monday.

Visiting the cradle of Confederation in Charlottetown, NDP Leader Jack Layton laid another bargaining chip on the table Wednesday, saying his party will “use all of available influence” to push for a vote on proportional representation.

“It's time for a rebirth of our democracy,” he said, standing beside a photograph of the fathers of Confederation. “Our voting system is broken. When arrogant Liberal majorities can break promises with absolute impunity and give our tax dollars to their friends, it's time for a new voting system.”