Submission DEL VILLANO-1297 (Online)

The Citizens' Assembly must not show favoritism to PR to the exclusion of our traditional system.  Only if the CA's report is balanced will it be of true value. The test is, will it be understood by voters and result in a wise decision. [2 pages]

Introduction
Like most voters, I am largely ignorant of the considerations involved on the issue of proportional representation. On the other hand, I am politically aware, having participated in federal and provincial election campaigns. As a result, my observations are based largely on hesitancy in embracing the unknown with its "law of unintended consequences". I have to be convinced that proportional representation makes sense for BC, and eventually as a model to the rest of Canada.

Considering All Options
It is vital that the issues be balanced, and that means listing the pro and con arguments not only for the various kinds of proportional representation. It is also vital that we see the pro and con arguments for "first past the post" elections that are current in Canada.

There are examples of "pizza parliaments" that have not served their nations well. Italy & Israel come to mind, where small minority parties can wield undue influence that distorts wise policy for the betterment of the country and that reflect the wishes of the majority.

Australia and New Zealand, are examples of proportional representations that we are assured work quite well. However, are these so much a structural result, or are they based on the number of parties and the kinds of society upon which satisfactory results are achieved?

Majority & Minority Viewpoints
Proponents of proportional representation are probably those who largely support small parties. It is fine to have a "voice", but in a Canadian general election, there are usually over ten and sometimes as many as twenty parties taking part. To what extent will these lead to an eventual "tower of babble"?

Price of Deal-Making
Proportional representation seems to be supported by those who favour negotiations, for the purpose of their viewpoint being not only heard, but implemented whether it is supported by the majority of voters or not. At what point does "negotiation" become "horse trading for gain"? Is that horse trading necessarily for the good of the the province? Rather, is it for the good of idealogues who seek undue influence brought on by their "minority power" as a result of splintered parties with razor thin majorities?. At what point does this system result in political deals amongst players who may not reflect the broad wishes or welfare of the majority? In short, at what point does it create its own climate of corruption?

Future Impact
The issue of Canada as a federal-provincial state also bears review. Canada in regional terms is not one nation, but a coalition of at least seven or more. (Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, Prairies, British Columbia, Northern Canada further sub-divided by teritory and province, and last but far from least, First Nations).

This welter of competing entities does not bode well for the decision-making process when complicated by a new and untried proportional representation system that copies other nations efforts. Do their experiences truly reflect our needs and concerns? It will also reflect the entity known as BC, because it is itself a region of competing interests. Strong government is a bulwark against indecision. Errors are corrected in due course at the polls if the voters are unhappy. So, convince me that change is absolutely necessary, rather than correcting the faults of the existing system through incremental means.

BC may well attempt this experiment. Its experience applied to the national level and to other provinces may well be of value in due course. But, if this does not truly work when implemented, is there a process to allow the public to return to "first past the post" because it is judged a failure?

Conclusion
The final report and recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly must cover all the apparent bases. There must be no favoritism shown to proportional representation to the exclusion of our traditional system.

Only if the report is balanced will it be of true value because it is based on thorough analysis. The test is, will it be understood by the majority of voters during a referendum, resulting in a wise decision?

We must indeed beware of what we wish for, as we may get it!