Changing the Electoral Process
While I understand the desires of many to change the way we
elect our MLAs, the sad fact is that no matter how we select our
representatives the democratic electoral process is shattered under
the running rules of Parliament.
Unless we address the lack of democratic process in the House any
change to the electoral process is simply a red herring falsely
inferring an improvement in democratic process while ignoring the
real hindrances to democracy.
Our Parliamentary system gives all power to our Premiers (and our
Prime Ministers).
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They select their cabinet;
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Through the party whip and caucus they tell representatives how
to vote on most issues, if not all;
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They appoint acquiescent members to committees;
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They keep dissident members off committees;
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They ignore the considerations of most backbenchers, (Jean
Chretien has been quoted as saying, 'would I talk to him, he is
only a backbencher?';
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They appoint senior civil servants outside of the Public
Service Commission;
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They appoint judges under their jurisdiction;
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In effect, they run an elected dictatorship.
With respect, I do not agree with your Citizens' Assembly fact
sheet that seems to say that changing the electoral process will
change the defects of the above practices. Only changes to the
Parliamentary System will change these defects.
Unless this parliamentary process is changed it matters little how
we elect our MLAs. Democratically elected MLAs have no say in our
parliamentary process unless they follow the party rules. It is
only obedient members of the governing party that can have any
impact. Independent thinkers are quickly sidelined. Members of the
opposition can make noise while Parliament is in session or in
question period but that noise serves no purpose other than
publicity and has little, if any effect on the Government other
than short-term embarrassment. These are the real facts.
I hesitate to suggest we look at the American political system for
ideas but in practice their elected representatives in their
Federal System are not as hindered by party politics as Canadian
politicians. Elected members of all parties get to serve on
committees and, as long as they are re-elected, able to wield
significant power for their constituents. Their Presidents do not
have the dictatorial powers of our Premiers and Prime Ministers and
are regularly challenged and held accountable by elected
representatives of both Houses.
That said, my thoughts on the topic at hand, changing the electoral
process.
While I understand the desire of supporters of minority parties for
proportional representation I cannot support a full proportional
representation system. I want to be able to vote for the person I
believe best fits my beliefs. I do not want my vote used to simply
select a person off a list for proportional representation. I would
be willing, however, to have a set number of seats in addition to
those districts for elected individuals set aside for proportional
representation for parties achieving a specified voter
percentage.
In a province as vast and as sparsely populated as British Columbia
with relatively small pockets of densely populated areas we can not
expect individual votes to be counted equally. Until our population
is equally distributed throughout the province inequality of votes
must exist.
As far as our dropping voter turnout it is my belief that this is
not due to our electoral process but rather to a growing
dissatisfaction with our governmental process and the corruption it
feeds.
Thank you for the opportunity to present my thoughts. I only ask
that whatever you recommend, please keep it simple.
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