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.