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Submission TOWNSEND-0750 (Online)

Submission By Lise Townsend
AddressVictoria, BC, Canada
Organization
Date20040625
CategoryElectoral system change
Abstract
I distain to vote stategically; rather, I vote for whoever best matches my values. I would like for this action to count for more. From what I have read so far, I think the MMP system would be most appropriate for BC. [1 page]

Submission Content
I think the electoral system should be changed. I think the system as it is grossly unfair and does not adequately represent the diverse views of British Columbians.

A system that allows a party to receive 97% of the seats with only 58% of the vote does not live up to the principles of democracy that I would like to see in my province. The current situation, with the Liberals able to pass unpopular legislation, shows what can result with essentially no opposing voice in the legislature to balance their views. The same thing could be said by Liberal supporters when the NDP was in power. I am fed up with the wild swings in policy that result in the current system; it doesn't make sense for incoming governments to spend my tax dollars on wholesale housecleaning, undoing much of what the previous party implemented, only for the process to be repeated the next time.

I believe that proportional representation [PR] would allow more viewpoints to be represented, and result in more of a consensual and deliberative process of decision making. This makes sense; many of the issues that arise have far-reaching effects and I do not want decisions to be made too quickly or with little consideration. I think complex issues such as minority rights, education, health care, and the environment would be addressed better under a proportional representation system. The only group that stands to gain under the current system is the one that happens to be in power -- and as we have seen this is rarely a long-term situation. I distain to vote stategically; rather, I vote for whoever best matches my values. I would like for this action to count for more. From what I have read so far, I think the MMP system would be most appropriate for BC.

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