Proposal: That 27 individuals be
elected by simple plurality as representatives, one from each
regional district to act, under the authority of the Speaker of the
House, as advocates for their regional area. And 52 MLAs be elected
by the voters at large by a proportional representation system to
govern the whole province.
Please consider the following as a suggestion which
might be considered as an initial step towards a better electoral
system in BC. I believe that any system
adopted must be simple, easily understood, involve as little change
as possible and be capable of amendment as experience suggests
better arrangements.
I attended the Public Hearing at Victoria on May 15 and was most
impressed with the conduct of the Panel. Their
attention to all the Presenters and their perceptive questions gave
me great confidence in the process. The written information which
was available is most helpful. I note in your
newsletter dated May 12 that "So far, one presenter has strongly
supported the current plurality, or first past the post system used
in provincial elections". There was another supporter of the
present system in Victoria. All other Presenters were for change. I
also note in your publication "A Preliminary Statement to the
People of British Columbia", Spring 2004, Page 6, "Proportionality:
The Assembly believes it is important that the outcome of an
election, in terms of the distribution of seats in the legislature,
should reflect the expressed intentions of the citizens as
expressed in their votes. This is the principle of proportionality
-- seats won should be proportional to votes won".
I strongly endorse the concept of proportionality and change
from the present system but will not belabour the arguments as it
appears that you have already accepted them.
The next question is how to achieve the balance between fair
numerical representation in the legislature and communication
between individual voters and their elected MLAs who may not share
any geographic relationship. At present, 79 MLAs sit in the
legislature and also run constituency offices where they are
available to their constituents for comments and complaints. They
are dignitaries at functions, go-betweens in solving individual
problems with government departments, and direct representatives to
the Provincial Government for local issues. The
effectiveness of any individual MLA, may be affected by his pr
her party's policy on an issue, party discipline, and
very much if he happens to belong to the party in
opposition.
I propose that we reallocate the present resources to do the
same things more effectively.
There are 27 existing regional districts. Allocate
one individual representative (REP) to each District.
This REP would be elected by the voters in the District but would
NOT sit in the Legislature. He would not belong to any
Party and would be a servant of the Legislature operating under the
authority of the Speaker of the House.
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The REP would be elected by simple plurality and serve
concurrently with the Legislature for four years.
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The REP would operate District offices where he or
she would be available to the voters. He or
she would be a Dignitary at functions and a go-between
with government departments. He
or she would carry forward Local Issues to
MLAS and Ministers as he or she deemed most effective in
the voter's interests and not be trammeled by any party
relationship.
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The REP would report the action taken on any issue to the
affected voter and hold Town Hall meetings at least 4 times a year
so that the voters can query his or her performance.
Having allocated the resources for 27 persons as REPs leaves
79-27= 52 persons to be elected as MLAs by a system of Province
wide Proportional Representation with closed party lists. The party
platform and the rated slate of proposed MLAs, together with their
CVs, must be published by each party before the election. These 52
MLAs are elected to govern in the best interests of the Province
and are not beholden to any particular geographic
region. The REPs are the Regional advocates.
In support of my proposal I suggest the following:
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The cost of Government would not be increased.
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Utilizing present Regional Boundaries would save a lot of
argument.
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The REP would clearly be the servant of the people in his
Regional District.
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Every voter could help elect the Party which had a platform and
candidates that he supported and, concurrently, vote for a REP who
might represent his particular interests. The concept
is simple and easy to explain to the Electorate at the required
referendum.
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A 52 seat House would be sufficient to staff the ministerial
positions and leave sufficient thoughtful "backbenchers" as
constructive critics. I am confident that Proportional
Representation would result in a more mature consensus system of
debate and do away with the present desk banging Greek Chorus.
Thank you for the opportunity to present my
ideas.
levelCMS