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Submission ULLSTROM-0476 (Online)

Submission By Garry Ullstrom
AddressAlert Bay, BC,
Organization
Date20040525
CategoryElectoral system change
Abstract
To reinvigorate our electoral process, I propose that BC adopt a Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) electoral system, with 30-50% of the seats allocated to party lists, and a threshold to exclude splinter groups. [2 pages]

Submission Content
I was very disappointed to find that the Assembly’s public meeting in Port McNeill was scheduled on an evening when it was a dangerous cargo run for the ferry from Alert Bay.  As a result I was unable to take the ferry to meet panel members, hear other presenters, and make this presentation in person. 

Regrets aside, I have two concerns about our current electoral system.  They are as follows:

  1. It breeds apathy and cynicism.  Psychology teaches us that we repeat behaviours that result in a positive response.  Under our current electoral system, anyone who does not subscribe to the values of the two main political parties is liable to opt out and not vote at all, because they know that in their riding they will not elect someone who shares their views on one or more key policy areas.  This hurts democracy.
  2. It stifles diversity.  Ecology teaches us that diverse ecosystems are more resilient and robust than homogenous systems.  The Bible teaches us that “A cord of many strands is not easily broken,” and capitalism demonstrates that businesses that encourage and nurture new ideas stay competitive and are more profitable than those resistant to change.  In other words, an electoral system with two parties is not diverse; a cord of two strands is not strong, and the current balance of power in our legislature hardly encourages a diversity of views and ideas. 
In order to reinvigorate our electoral process and to address the above issues I propose that BC adopt a Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) electoral system.  Key elements would be as follows:

  • Reduce the number of ridings by 30 – 50% by increasing their geographical size.
  • Allocate the 30 – 50% of seats that disappeared due to the increased riding size to political parties, whose members would be elected based on published party lists of candidates.
  • A voter would therefore vote for two people: 1.  The candidate of choice for his/her riding and 2.  The political party of their choosing.
  • Parties would have to field candidates in at least 80% of the ridings in order to get on “Part 2” of the ballot.  This is to filter out splinter groups.
  • Parties would have to garner a minimum percentage of the votes to elect someone from their party list.  Again, this is to filter out splinter groups.
Why change?

In terms of combating voter apathy, let’s look at aboriginals.  An electoral system that holds out a glimmer of hope that one day aboriginals may get elected on a regular basis to our legislature would likely greatly increase aboriginal voter turnout and increase the chance of new ideas, from aboriginal MLAs, being introduced to, and debated in, the legislature.  Aboriginals live right across our province but the current electoral system does not give them a voice in our legislature.  An MMP system could give them that voice, if they organized effectively.

Issues like education, health care, social policies, and the environment are often governed by policies that are province wide in their scope.  What we need are the best ideas and the best people in our legislature to debate and advance those ideas.  I would like to be able to vote for the best candidate in my local riding, and then also have the chance to vote for the party that I feel has the best ideas, values, and philosophy, which I could do if BC switched to an MMP electoral system.

Our current system disempowers a large chunk of the electorate, because when divided geographically they do not have enough clout to elect members, whereas collectively, province wide, they represent a significant group.  Aboriginals are one example, and other groups and parties come to mind.  This lack of explicit representation leads to frustration and at times dysfunctional, costly actions that pull our province down.  Things like legal battles, demonstrations, and civil disobedience are symptomatic of this frustration.

Those are my thoughts.  I was feeling rather frustrated after the last two provincial elections so I suspect that many others are too.  I greatly appreciate this opportunity to share my views and I commend the current government for its foresight and interest in improving the democratic process.  No matter the outcome, this process that you are engaged in is historic and my best wishes are with you as you ponder all of the input that you have received.

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