Submission BELAK-0947 (Online)

I believe that a system like New Zealand's [MMP] would benefit the North and remote areas of the province but the fear of losing any headway we have made is making it difficult for leaders to embrace the idea of change. [2 pages]

The North-East part of B.C. is strongly represented by B.C. Liberals and is greatly influenced by Alberta and the Oil,Gas & Energy resource sector. The economic power is vested in keeping on good terms with the ruling party as we go into increased oil & gas exploration.

When I petitioned for electoral reform the 'grass roots' signed up willingly in short time and had a good deal of interest in having broader representation in government. On the other hand, in my work as a City councillor I find that local governments and business are very opposed to supporting any change that they perceive as perjorative to the present government and the way it is moving to recognize the economic contributions from our area.

I see that Chris Moray (Mayor of Fort Nelson) has been appointed to the panel. She has spoken, at the Northern Communities Forum in Ft. Nelson and to the Assembly, against electoral change and was well received by her fellow politicians.

Politicians and the general public in our area are very concerned that we have a vast geographical area and meagre population and have little representation at present and they fear being assigned an even larger riding with fewer representatives. Especially the Regional District Representatives have stated that they already feel the North and the rest of BC are living off the avails of 'their resources' while they are not benefitting sufficiently.

A system that would include more representatives from the north -- or in the north -- would be very appealing. Since more MLA's have visited our area in connection with the Oil & Gas development the understanding has grown within the body politic but has not changed as much within administration in Victoria.
I believe that a system like New Zealand's [MMP] would benefit the North and remote areas of the province but I believe that the fear of losing any headway we have made is making it difficult for leaders to embrace the idea of change.

The North-East has a great need to be recognized for the wealth it generates within B.C. and for the population influx of itinerant workers that the oil & gas industry flies in for shifts but who are not registered voters here. Our real population is quite large when workers from other parts of BC and Alberta are in the oilpatch. Our Police and health care forces must cope with this population not just the static communities.

Thank you for your hard work and sincere efforts.