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Electoral reform shouldn’t be a leap of faith
Op-Ed Commentary
Electing our provincial representatives needs to be done in a fair way that gives our region the best representation possible. Like all of you, I have family and friends that live in this beautiful region and I have a vested interest to ensure we are being looked after.
The issue we face right now in changing our current system concerns me on two fronts.
One)Â The way this referendum has been rolled out.
The referendum is politically driven by the Green Party to give them more seats in the legislature. This is fact. It is clearly documented in the Confidence and Supply agreement between the NDP and Greens – a document that solidified their power sharing agreement. This referendum was the number one condition the Greens demanded of the NDP. The Premier, John Horgan, made three promises if a referendum was to be held:
- A simple Yes or NO ballot on keeping our current system;
- An All-Parties Committee be instituted for fairness across the board;
- To recognize regional thresholds to ensure that at least 50% of the ridings had to be in support of change and that common support of 60%+ 1 be recognized.
The Premier broke not one but all three promises for this vote. This is now a populous vote that undoubtedly will be controlled by the Lower Mainland with a 50% + one vote and (with) no minimum voter turnout recognized. It’s actually ironic that the referendum is based on the system that they oppose
Two)Â The lack of information and validity of the PR options are in question.
Very few people understand the options being presented; some are unaware of the upcoming referendum and its importance. The people supporting PR can’t tell me the details, and I can’t blame them because there are many details missing.
PR is not a blanket statement. All forms are different, and as a matter of fact two of the three options on the ballot have never been tried anywhere in the world. I don’t understand how someone can support something 100% that has never been demonstrated or has had full details on. As Premier Horgan said, “this is a leap of faith.”
The PR options given will no doubt make our ridings bigger. With bigger ridings, half of the MLAs will be dropped in off “Party Lists.” The lists may be closed or they may be open. Either way, you will be represented by at least one MLA that is most likely not from this area, with no chance to vote them out if they remain on a “Party List.” This will erode our regional voice and give way to a party-based system and not a voter based system. A MLA from a “Party List” is accountable to the party and not the region he/she represents.
We need more than a leap of faith on something as important as this. We need a fair, publicly driven, referendum with one selected form of PR with details included. In my opinion, this referendum has none of this.
My job is to protect our region and provide a representative voice. I am suggesting to you, to take this vote seriously and not make change for the sake of change. Let’s be clear and make an informed decision.
I will be voting to keep our current system of First-Past-The-Post. I will be voting only on Question One and I encourage you to do the same.
– Tom Shypitka is MLA for Kootenay East