I sent a prior submission to the Citizen's Assembly members (
Beckett
0257) with arguments supporting a Mixed Member Proportional
System. I also attended the plenary sessions held in Prince George
in June and looked at many different submissions on the web site. I
am writing again to address members in a more personal way.
I listen to politicians in the media; I see the behaviour of MLAs
in the legislature and out of it; I feel appalled and ashamed at
the negativity, selfishness, and outright dishonesty that the
current political system has driven well meaning, motivated, and
very hard working people to.
What I would like to see is all MLAs working with each other,
regardless of party, to improve our laws to serve the interest of
all citizens of BC. I want to see more women, more minority
opinions, the total spectrum of society reflected in the members of
the legislative assembly.
I want the choice to vote for an individual from my region of the
province (Prince George), and I want to vote for a party that
includes my values. I want an electoral system where it is obvious
how each member is elected. I want to know that my vote will matter
and will show up in the legislature. I want to be able to speak to
MLAs regardless of party, who are chosen for their expertise in
various issues and feel that they can carry concerns to the
legislature and have them heard in committee, or by other parties
they may be working with.
I want to see the concerns and values of the economic engine of
this province-the rural and northern communities-have a greater
profile. The effectiveness of, accessibility to, and accountability
between, local and list MLAs is far more important to me than
relative size of constituencies.
I want to encourage friends that they should vote because it does
matter and their vote counts too.
I want to vote for a change of electoral system to Mixed Member
Proportional in May of 2005.
Thank you for your time and effort in this process.