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Submission NIXON-1505 (Online)

Submission By Frank H Nixon
AddressWinlaw, BC,
Organization
Date20040901
CategoryElectoral system change
Abstract
I favor a mixed member proportional system similar to the one in New Zealand. I believe that with an MMP system each party could stick to their own planks and not promise the world. It would be so much more realistic. [1 page]

Submission Content
I have been a small farmer for 45 years. My grandfather Nixon settled our family farm in the Slocan valley in 1901. I have never felt I was represented in the BC legislature. Through the years I have been concerned about farming in a sustainable and ecological manner, but all I see in government is two ideological factions at war resulting in a waste of time, money and resources. Our farm is taxed with no incentive to farm or extract timber from our woodlot sustainably. Instead the mountainside part of our farm, which is also our watershed, was removed from farm status and classed as residential. We were told we could get our farm status back if we clear-cut the timber and put livestock on it.

Two years ago I canvassed for the Pro Rep Initiative in the Slocan valley, I am in favor of some form of Proportional Representation. In particular I favor a Mixed Member Proportional Representative [MMP] system similar to the one in New Zealand. Under our present system at election time, candidates make grandiose statements promising the “world”. It is so ludicrous! I believe that with a MMP system each Party could stick to their own planks. It would be so much more realistic.

I would like the system to be set up so that the MLA’s who represent Ridings could not be elected to hold the position of Premier, or of Cabinet Minister. They then can be more accountable to their constituents and further; there would be no penalization for this.

Some issues should be brought to Referendum after the issue is thoroughly presented to the voters and is clearly worded.

This electoral reform movement is finally coming about and I am feeling very optimistic about it.

[Entered online from a scanned document]

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