News release - Weekly review of public hearings

British Columbians weigh in on electoral reform

British Columbians, once again this week, demonstrated their strong interest in and deep concern for the province’s electoral and political systems. 

Members of the Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform heard from residents of Vancouver Island, the North West and the Lower Mainland.  Many spoke passionately from their personal experience and conviction, while others detailed the intricacies of carefully-crafted electoral models based on many hours of meticulous original research.

Recommendations literally covered the full gamut of electoral system options – with the majority calling for change.  Many also expressed concerns and views that went far beyond the realm of electoral systems – and beyond the scope of the Assembly’s mandate.

Again, electoral models that incorporated some form of proportionality dominated the recommendations.  However, there was remarkable variation in how that proportionality should be achieved and how much proportionality was desirable.  

Based on her extensive research, Sylvia Korican recommended retaining our current system with the addition of as few as 8 MLAs selected to improve proportionality.  Others suggested 10 or 16 proportional MLAs.  Still other proponents of the mixed member proportional (MMP) system suggested that up to that 50 per cent of the legislature be composed of MLAs selected to achieve proportionality.   However, there were many different thoughts on how these proportional MLAs should be selected.  Few supported a pure proportional representation (PR) system.

A number of proponents of proportionality preferred the single transferable vote (STV) system because it allows voters greater choice by giving them the option of ranking candidates on the ballot.  It also reduces party control of candidates.  Several speakers detailed how STV has been successfully used in Ireland for over a century.

In the north, some expressed support for proportionality – as long as it did not mean an increase to the size of the already vast northern ridings.  Others, however, argued that local representatives are irrelevant because they cannot effectively represent their ridings due to party discipline. 

Several offered cautions related to proportional systems.  Jason Clemens, of the Fraser Institute, warned that proportional electoral systems “are far more likely to be characterized by coalition and minority governments” which, according to research, tend to result in “larger government sectors characterized by increased spending and increased taxation.  Speaking for the Vancouver Board of Trade, Dave Park also cautioned that an electoral system with more than a relatively small proportional component “would likely lead to political and economic instability.”

Support for non-proportional models was also voiced.  Several speakers defended the existing plurality (or first-past-the-post) system. Carol Hartwig cautioned the Assembly that electoral reform was not the answer to all BC’s political woes, nor was proportionality “a panacea for what ails us politically in this province.”  Neil Sutherland outlined how adjusting the current system by incorporating multi-member ridings provided the benefits of proportionality without the drawbacks.

Dave Flavell, David Godfrey and Arpal Dosanjh promoted the alternative vote (AV) system – a majority system used in BC in the 1952 and 1953 elections – which requires candidates to win by a clear 50 per cent majority in their ridings.  Others also supported use of the preferential ballot – which allows ranking of candidates – but in other types of electoral systems.

Michael Wheatley strongly advised the Assembly to select an electoral model that British Columbians would embrace and endorse should there be a referendum.  “I would rather you recommend a flawed system that is more likely to be adopted than have you recommend an ideal system that has less chance of being adopted,” he advised.

Vancouver City Councillor Sam Sullivan recommended that citizens’ assemblies be constituted prior to every election to rigorously review parties, candidates and platforms and offer voters a considered opinion.

This coming week, hearings move to the Interior – Princeton (Monday), Merritt (Tuesday), Lillooet (Wednesday), Kamloops (Thursday) and Williams Lake (Saturday).  Ganges, on Salt Spring Island, will also host a hearing this Saturday.  A full schedule of hearings is on the Assembly’s website at www.citizensassembly.bc.ca.

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.