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Submission MACINTYRE-1100 (Online)

Submission By Jean Macintyre
AddressNorth Vancouver, British Columbia,
Organization
Date20040811
CategoryCitizens' Assembly process, Electoral system change
Abstract
I support a form of PR for this Province, preferably the Mixed Member format [MMP]. It is undoubtedly a great deal closer to real democracy than our current 'first past the post' format, which is alienating voters and eroding democracy. [2 pages]

Submission Content

I strongly support a form of proportional representation for this Province, preferably the Mixed Member format [MMP]. It is, I realize, not perfect, nor is any other form of proportional representation that I have read about, but it is undoubtedly a great deal closer to real democracy than our current 'first past the post' format, which is alienating voters and eroding democracy.

I would like to congratulate the members on the work they have done so far. You took on an extremely onerous task; you have worked hard at it for all our sakes and you deserve our wholehearted thanks.

However, I am greatly disturbed to learn of the prominence being given to a form of STV - 'preferential plus' and in particular to the method of implementation being suggested. That is to say, that the current system should be retained in rural areas and a separate STV-type system operate in the urban areas of the province. This strikes me as an unwieldy and cumbersome political system, especially as it retains all that most of us want to change in one area and introduces another system elsewhere, which has caused great problems in countries where it has been tried.

Furthermore, if I may say so, the nine applicants chosen to make final presentations are not at all representative of the submissions the Assembly has received. If in fact 80% have been in favour of proportional representation and 12% of STV then 3 out of the nine hardly represents the 80% mentioned above. Since, as I understand it, not merely two or three but possibly four of the nine favour STV, then the 'representation' is totally incorrect. Even 2 of the 9 for STV would be a false representation.

I have hoped that the Assembly would be completely unbiased - as it has appeared to be up to now - but this does not seem to be the case given the scenario I have outlined above. I trust I am incorrect.

In all this my husband concurs completely.

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