News release - Vancouver public hearing

Jason Clemens, of the Fraser Institute, warned the Assembly that proportional electoral systems “are far more likely to be characterized by coalition and minority governments” in which small parties can wield disproportionate power.  Coalition governments tend to result in “larger government sectors characterized by increased spending” and increased taxation, he said citing academic studies.

Clemens urged the Assembly, if it recommends a proportional electoral system, to also recommend tax and spending limitations on government, specifically Tax and Expenditure Limitation laws.

Others also took a cautious approach to proportionality. 

“Given the present political and cultural make-up of the British Columbia electorate,” said Dave Park representing the Vancouver Board of Trade, “having an electoral system with more than (a) relatively small proportional component … would likely lead to political and economic instability that would be detrimental to the province.”   He recommended no more than 25 per cent of the legislature be elected by proportional representation.

“The electoral system is not a cure-all; it will not solve all the problems of our democracy,” stated Neil Sutherland.  He explained how the benefits of proportionality could be achieved through a simple adjustment to the existing plurality (or first-past-the-post) system.  By having two or more MLAs elected from most riding, he said, the drawbacks of plurality would be eliminated and the benefits of proportionality obtained.

However, supporters of proportionality were well represented. Saying minor parties and minority voices are disadvantaged under the current system, William Lim advocated a mix of a proportional electoral system in urban areas and a majority system in rural areas. 

Roy Grinshpan said he “liked many aspects of our current first-past-the-post system,” so wanted “to enhance it not replace it”.  He suggested a mixed system which would enhance the existing system by allowing one-third of the seats to be allocated to achieve proportionality. Grinshpan also advised the Assembly to ensure its’ recommended system succeed, should there be a referendum, by keeping it simple.

Other proponents of various mixed member proportional (MMP) systems included Mebrat Kebede, Reimar Kroecher, Alex Tunner, Matthew Laird (leader of the Moderate Democratic Movement and cofounder of RecallBC), Bruce Krayenhoff, Robert Everton and Nancy Klenavic (representing West Coast Environmental Law).

A different system for achieving proportionality was also well represented.  Garry Nixon explained the Irish single transferable vote (STV) system which – allows voters to rank candidates in multi-member ridings and reduces party control.  He said STV “ensures minority representation … makes gerrymandering much more difficult … (and) provides stability.”

Mark Latham, a financial economist and expert in corporate voting, agreed with Nixon.  “One advantage of a single transferable vote (STV) system over a mixed member proportional (MMP) system is that STV does not build in a dominant role for political parties, whereas MMP is defined in terms of political parties.”

Like Nixon and Latham, Arpal Dosanjh advocated the use of a preferential ballot – which allows voters to rank candidates – but with a major difference.  Rather than a proportional system, Dosanjh advocated the majority electoral system which was used in BC in the 1952 and 1953 provincial elections.  This system is similar to our current system but demands MLAs achieve over 50 per cent of the vote in their riding to be elected. 

Vancouver City Councillor Sam Sullivan told Citizens’ Assembly members “I’m jealous of your process”.  Saying his proposal would enhance any electoral system, Sullivan recommended that, prior to each election, all politicians and parties be subject to a rigorous review by a similar citizens’ assembly which would evaluate their credentials, platforms and promises.  This body would then report to the electorate, providing citizens with the carefully considered research and conclusions voters seldom have the time to undertake for themselves.

Other ideas raised included:

The Citizens’ Assembly is an independent, representative, non-partisan group of 160 randomly selected British Columbians. They must decide by December 15 whether to propose a change to BC’s electoral system. If they recommend a change, it will be the subject of a referendum for all voters in the May 2005 provincial election.