Submission GRANT-1151 (Online)

I support MMP for BC because it has a proven track record of producing fairer results while maintaining geographic representation and improving the number of women and minorities elected. [1 page]

I would like to add my vote for a system of mixed member proportional representation (MMP) in BC. I believe this is an electoral system used widely around the world with a proven track record of producing fairer results while maintaining geographic representation and improving the number of women and minorities elected.

It preserves local representation while also ensuring that elected seats more accurately reflect the popular vote.

To go into more detail - under proportional representation, minority and coalitions rather than simple majority, governments are far more likely. Because different parties know that they may one day have to work together, the public debate tends to be more respectful than the embarrassing spectacles seen regularly in Victoria. Coalitions also mean that governments are much more accountable to the people between elections - not just on voting day.

Countries that use MMP also have better representation from women - up to 42 percent in Sweden. It has also been shown to significantly increase voter participation - over 80 percent in countries such as Denmark, Sweden, and the Belgium.

Furthermore, countries using proportional representation tend to have more balanced governments and a far greater diversity of voter choice. Fringe parties that have held sway in countries such as Israel and Italy can be excluded by establishing a reasonable threshold of popular vote in order to win a seat.

Thanks for considering my submission. I hope that the process for changing our system will continue take into account people's opinions in a fair and democractic way.