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Submission HART-0304 (Online)

Submission ByMr David Hart
AddressVernon, BC, Canada
Organization
Date20040506
CategoryDemocratic elections, Democratic government, Electoral system change
Abstract
Electoral form should be Open List Mixed Member Proportional [MMP]. The abuse of voter's wishes by the current system is deplorable and should be changed immediately. [2 pages]

Submission Content
BC has lost it's capability of representation in the Legislature. A vote by the constituency every 4 years does NOT constitute control of the Legislature by the constituents, in spite of claims to the contrary by parliamentarians, and the legislature SHOULD be acting for the good of the constituents.

I think a number of measures need to be taken as follows:

   1. Voting should be by "Split Terms", by this I mean that an election for say 40 of the current legislatures seats should be held, and at half term (2 years later) the remaining seats should be held to election. After yet another 2 years the original 40 seats should again face election and so on. This would allow the voting public much more opportunity to voice its approval or displeasure of Government actions, and indeed, to change a no longer favoured Government.

   2.  Elections must be held at specified dates. The Premier must not be allowed to hold elections when he sees the political opportunity to do so.

   3.  Electoral form should be Open List Mixed Member Proportional [MMP]. The abuse of voter's wishes by the current system is deplorable and should be changed immediately.

   4.  Much more use should be made of Referenda, the results of which should be binding on the Legislature.

   4a. ALL proposed legislation regarding possible changes to the assets of the Province should be put to Referendum. For example, I am not alone in regarding the privatization of BC Hydro amongst many others examples, as a form of theft of property paid for by the taxpayers of BC. That it is carried out in the hallowed halls of Victoria does not mitigate the act.

   5.  I think there should be a bureau set up, not in any way responsible or directed by the Provincial Legislature, which can adjudicate on the accountability of the Premier and Ministers. It should be capable of prosecuting the Premier or Ministers in cases where their actions cause a loss to the people of BC, whether that loss is occasioned by deliberate action or negligence. Once again the case of BC Hydro's partial privatisation is an example of the sale of public property, against much public opposition, to private concerns for no reason acceptable to the public. Parameters such as minimum numbers in a petition could easily be set up to instigate such action.

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