Being a French citizen of 72, I ask for your tolerance toward my
English expression, hoping that you will anyhow understand the
ideas expressed and that they will be of a little help toward the
achievement of your goal. I did attend the public hearing on June
21 and I read the literature handed over to us.
First, I would like to thank you for your involvement and
dedication and congratulate you for the way you do handle the
Work. It is not an easy task and I noticed at the
hearing that even the experts manifest a certain perplexity in
finding a way to cope with the challenge. Nevertheless,
stay confident, there is always a kind of help from above dispensed
to those who have a mission to accomplish. Just ask for it
sincerely and you will be surprised.
From the hearings across BC, it is clear that a change is
necessary. The present system of "First past the Post" is no more
adequate and create so much injustice that it has become obsolete,
inefficient and moreover very expensive because of the swing from
one extreme to the other that it shows at each change of Party
elected. I think it will be possible to offer a better option right
from the beginning, even though not yet perfect. We just have to
think to Athens, Rome or Washington; their constitution, though a
good start, did need changes and adaptations along the way.
Humanity has evolved, society has changed. Plurality of living,
thinking and needing is everywhere. The present system is no more
just, neither for the Parties, nor for the citizens. We need a
different way to cope with the new reality. Of course,
we need the Parties, for they have the structures, the
organization, the means, the power and the interest to foster a
program promoting a better way of life for the whole
Province. On the other hand, we need a dedicated local
representation so each constituency will be heard and listen
to. To achieve this complex and efficient system, we
will have, like many Countries, to direct our search amidst the
proportional representation tendencies and probably invent on what
is done elsewhere. We are a young Province and like the U.S. in
1787, we must show deep insight and audacity. The
Parties being necessary, we must thread a new philosophy relating
to them in order to canalize their excessive power and assure a
real justice to every Party taking part in the election
process. To reach our purpose:
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We must limit and regulate the expenses towards the election
campaign. The same amount for every Party
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To be recognize as official, a Party will have to display a
minimum presence of, let us say, 75%
of the ridings.
-
Every Party, if necessary, will be allowed a certain amount
proportionally to its presence in the ridings across the Province:
if 80% of the ridings, 80% of the total allowance.
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The Party having been subventioned for the campaign will have to
reimburse the Government before the next election.
-
The Coffers of a Party, if well garnished, would be used by the
said Party, not to overpower the other Parties, but to foster
researches, education and information in order to improve the
political knowledge of the citizens Enlightenment will be a plus to
our Province.
On the other hand, the local representation being a must for a
fair, just and adequate government we will probably need to
increase the number of representatives that we send to Victoria in
order to keep as many constituencies as possible, to facilitate the
actualization of the elected Party's program, to give other Parties
the fair representation advocated and also to provide for each
constituency the possibility to have their say at the
Government.
To reach these goals, we would, let us say, increase
the number of representatives to 90 or 99. The first 2/3 of these
would be elected in the process of First Past the Post, the other
1/3 would be chosen as proportional representatives of the other
Parties, though not from a Party List, but rather from
the will of the citizens of BC i.e. among those who have
gathered the highest percentage of votes in their riding: the
highest chosen first and so on, until the best proportional
representation is achieved for each official Party meeting the
criteria stated above. This procedure will ascertain that the
delegate sent to the Government do really represent the citizens
and is accountable to them. It may not be the best for the Party,
but it will be the best acceptable to the citizens. There would be
two exceptions to this rule:
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The Leader of the Party, if not already elected, would be the
first one chosen to be sent to the Government.
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The Party must have received a minimum of 5% of the total votes
to be accepted for the proportional representation.
The choosing of the candidates, not elected but having gathered
the next highest percentage of votes in their ridings, will ring
the bell to the ears of the ELECTED PARTY, letting it know that
though their members have been chosen to form the Government they
do not represent all of the citizens and have to listen to the
other voices of the Province. Moreover , it should be advocated
that each representative of the elected Party should be allowed
toside with his constituents if the Party Line is going too fast or
too far away from the characteristics and necessities of his
riding. Mr Bill Bennet, MLA of our riding has succeeded to follow a
balanced path between the Program of the Party and the exigencies
and particularities of his riding. It should be extended to the
whole Province.
Nevertheless, The constituencies should be reminded and educated
to understand that our Government, like a good PARENT, is not
elected to rule, spoil or spend without wisdom, but to lead,
through the Program for which it has been elected, the Province and
his citizens towards a better achievement and a greater happiness.
The citizens must accept the fact that sacrifices are always
necessary to progress toward this ideal Status.
Thank you for reading to the last word and wishing you the Light
and Wisdom necessary for your Task.
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