The North-East part of B.C. is strongly represented by B.C.
Liberals and is greatly influenced by Alberta and the Oil,Gas &
Energy resource sector. The economic power is vested in keeping on
good terms with the ruling party as we go into increased oil &
gas exploration.
When I petitioned for electoral reform the 'grass roots' signed
up willingly in short time and had a good deal of interest in
having broader representation in government. On the other hand, in
my work as a City councillor I find that local governments and
business are very opposed to supporting any change that they
perceive as perjorative to the present government and the way it is
moving to recognize the economic contributions from our area.
I see that Chris Moray (Mayor of Fort Nelson) has been appointed
to the panel. She has spoken, at the Northern Communities Forum in
Ft. Nelson and to the Assembly, against electoral change and was
well received by her fellow politicians.
Politicians and the general public in our area are very
concerned that we have a vast geographical area and meagre
population and have little representation at present and they fear
being assigned an even larger riding with fewer representatives.
Especially the Regional District Representatives have stated that
they already feel the North and the rest of BC are living off the
avails of 'their resources' while they are not benefitting
sufficiently.
A system that would include more representatives from the north
-- or in the north -- would be very appealing. Since
more MLA's have visited our area in connection with the Oil &
Gas development the understanding has grown within the body politic
but has not changed as much within administration in Victoria.
I believe that a system like New Zealand's [MMP] would benefit the
North and remote areas of the province but I believe that the fear
of losing any headway we have made is making it difficult for
leaders to embrace the idea of change.
The North-East has a great need to be recognized for the wealth
it generates within B.C. and for the population influx of itinerant
workers that the oil & gas industry flies in for shifts but who
are not registered voters here. Our real population is quite large
when workers from other parts of BC and Alberta are in the
oilpatch. Our Police and health care forces must cope with this
population not just the static communities.
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The idea of enlarging the ridings in the north is a historic
reaction in BC - 'there is hardly anyone up there, lets just cut
their services.' It would be more sensible to enlarge boundaries in
the lower mainland where there are synergies in needs and
demographics rather than in the vast and varied north where
communications and transportation limitations isolate
communities.
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Electoral Reform - YES
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Larger ridings in the North - NO
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More & Balanced Representation in Victoria - Yes
Thank you for your hard work and sincere efforts.
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