1. I favour mixed member proportional representation (MMP) with a
reasonable minimum percentage lower threshold to get a seat.
Reasons: The many countries around the world where this system
is now used have a much better record of fairer representation
while preserving some local representation. They also elect more
women and minorities.
2. I am strongly opposed to keeping the system we have.
Reasons: The number of seats won should closely reflect the
percentage of votes cast for that party. Clearly that is not the
case now. With 58% of the vote, the BC Liberal Party got 98% of the
seats in the last election. The system we choose should not allow
this to happen. It should guarantee that the 42% of the people who
did not vote Liberal are politically represented in the
legislature. Clearly this system does not do that consistently.
3. I am very strongly opposed to the single transferable vote
(STV) system.
Reasons: In other countries (Malta and Ireland, for example),
this system has not worked consistently, and certainly does not
improve representation of minority groups or women (who are 50
percent of the population!)
4. I am even more opposed to the "preferential plus" system
proposed by Nick Loenen.
Reasons: This system seems like it will guarantee a one-sided,
un-representative government in perpetuity, incorporating nearly
all the disadvantages outlined above.
We need a fair system in BC, one that learns from the experience of
other countries who have successfully made the transformation to
mixed member proportional representation! We cannot continue with
the system we have, nor should we choose a system that will further
decrease the democratic representation in this province.
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