Submission WHISTLER-0934 (Online)

Implement Proportional Representation. Our current system has two major faults, the number of MLA's elected are often disproportate to the percentage of votes received and minority parties are basically shut out of electing MLA's. I would suggest allocating 1/3 of the MLA seats to the participating political parties based on their percentage of the vote (the remaining 2/3 of MLA seats could be elected for constituencies as is present).

Implement a single transferable vote (STV). Under the present system voters cannot register their preferences among the options and there is a disincentive to vote for an underdog or miniority parties. This provides an unfair advantage to the incumbent and existing mainstream political parties. With a STV system a voters second choice would be counted if their first vote candidate was at the bottom of the first ranking round (ranking rounds would continue until one candidate got over 50% of the vote). A STV system would then ensure that the winning candidate has a majority support in the riding. A STV system does not have to be complex for the voter and can be tallied easily.

Campaign finance reform. Our current system is subject to unfair influence from well financed organizations that want to advance their agenda (big business, big unions, big non-government agencies). This is a major flaw to our democratic system. I would suggest strong campaign financing regulations which should include:
    * Maximum contribution limits (eg $1,000 per year).
    * Ban on accepting contributions from people that are not registered voters (this would prevent contributions from corporations, unions and non-government organizations).
    * Taxpayer funding of political campaigns (similar to the model used by the Federal Government).

Electoral reforms for municipal elections. Municipal elections probably have the biggest impact on the day to day lives of citizens in BC. However the municipal electoral regulations are the least regulated with the greatest opportunity for abuse. As the municipal electorial regulations are the resposibility of the Province I would desire to see the above suggestions also implemented at the municipal level.