Submission LAU-0047 (Online)
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Submission By | Mr David Lau |
Address | Victoria, BC, Canada |
Organization | |
Date | 20040107 |
Category | Electoral system change, Other |
Abstract
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MLAs should be encouraged to be more responsive to the needs of
their constituents by allowing voters
to assess the performance of the sitting MLA; the score
would affect the pension entitlements of the MLA. [2 pages]
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Submission Content
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It is my contention that our provincial system suffers from the
sidelining of MLAs who are not empowered by the premier or leader
of the opposition.
The party whip system as it works in BC does
not encourage individual MLAs to respond
to the needs of their ridings as much as the needs of
the leader to secure more power over the legislative assembly.
I suggest that with each election, a vote is cast for the next
representative as is described in the Elections Act; but to ensure
that MLAs have the authority and interest to defend the needs of
their contituents, the voters should cast a second vote. This
should be a ranking of how the incumbent MLA has performed
according to the needs of the riding. This rating as a percentage
should be tabulated and then the final math should designate the
percentage of the allowable pension they are entitled to recieve
for that period they represented the riding. For example, if the
constituents rate an MLA at 50%, the MLA should recieve 50% of
their allowable pension. The math is not arguable but it should
effect a noticeable change in how services are dispensed in
constituency offices across the provinces. Hopefully,
it will foster stronger alliances across party lines to respond
to regional and other legitimate interests which can and
are overlooked by caucus. This sort of solution will
encourage the backbencher to speak out and speak up
where regional issues are in jeopardy, and
offset the fear of being disciplined by the
whip and losing opportunity to take part in lucrative caucus and
board roles which pay stipends, which have a potentially and
debatably undemocratic effect on legislative life.
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