Submission MASUDA-0874 (Online)

I support and recommend a Mixed Proportional Representation (MMP) voting system for British Columbia (with no threshold) and also recommend that voting be made a mandatory requirement as a responsibility of all citizens. [2 pages]

DISCUSSION

The current first-past-the-post voting system in the 2001 elections resulted in the Liberal government winning 77 of the 79 seats (97% of seats) in the legislature with only 58% of the vote.

This resulted in the Liberal government passing their legislative program with virtually no checks and balances.

A criticism I have read about proportional representation is that it often results in coalition governments. The resulting legislation takes longer to get passed and is full of compromises in order to win support from the various factions.

I look on this as a good aspect supporting proportional representation. A direct result of proportional representation is that there are now more stakeholders at the table and legislation would thus better reflect the wants/needs of the electorate.

Elected members would also more closely be identified by that portion of the electorate which voted for the member into the legislature. Thus the elected member would be much more accountable to the electorate unlike the present situation. The major parties have national party platforms and voters are given only three choices of three different platforms -- which parties do not feel obligated to follow once in power.

New parties which are representative of specific aspects of our society can become feasible. An example is labour candidates running in a Workers Party could run candidates directly to appeal to all workers whether union or non-union .

It is questionable whether three parties can be representative of the great variety and diversity found in BC. Having a cut-off of a minimum number of votes would ensure that very small special interest groups would not receive representation. If a small special interest group can win the minimum number of votes, it should receive representation - the strength of proportional representation.

Voter turnout is dropping. Introducing proportional representation should increase voter participation. However, I feel that voting should be made a mandatory responsibility of all citizens.

RECOMMENDATIONS

I recommend a Mixed Proportional Representation (MMP) voting system be adopted for British Columbia and also recommend that voting be made a mandatory requirement as a responsibility of all citizens.