This assembly has a very critical task to perform. The time is
way overdue for a much better system of electing MLAs (or for that
matter, MPs) than the current "first past the post" system.
We are very much aware of the New Zealand model, namely, mixed
member proportional (MMP). This gives all persons who cast a vote
in an election, the confidence that their vote will count.
Presently, many people refrain from voting because they feel that
their vote isn't likely to count because they would vote for one of
the smaller parties if they were to go to the polls to vote. The
results in BC of the last provincial election was so skewed that
about 40% of voters have no direct representation in the BC
legislature. This is highly undemocratic.
With the MMP system, virtually all votes count and another plus is
that we would likely have more women sitting as MLAs than has been
the case to date. Having a government which has a clear majority,
actually leads to less democratic governing. Some of the best
governments in Canada's history have been minority governments
because they were forced to accommodate views other than their own
party platform. There are many other reforms needed in our
electoral system but chosing to use the New Zealand model would be
an excellent first step.
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