News Release - Terrace public hearing

Presenters unite in call for change

In expressing the unique opportunity presented to members of the Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform, residents in Terrace were united in demanding change to BC’s current electoral system during a public hearing Tuesday night (June 8).

Most presenters were convinced that the Assembly should take full advantage of its mandate to review and, if members deem it necessary, recommend an alternative to the first-past-the-post system used in BC to elect MLAs to the Legislature.

As for the type of changes desired by presenters in Terrace, increasing the proportionality between a party’s share of the popular vote and how that translates into the number of seats it receives in the Legislature was high on the list. Voter choice would also be improved using some form of partial or full proportional representation (PR), they suggested.

The issue of local representation, however, divided presenters. While a majority recommended the Assembly maintain constituency seats using enlarged ridings, one presenter strongly dismissed local MLAs as ineffective.

Val George backed a system of mixed member proportionality (MMP) that would double the size of constituencies to maintain local representatives. Under his proposal, half of the MLAs would be elected through PR to give minority voices a stake in government. "The system has to change so that votes will effectively influence government selection and so more capable people will be attracted to office," he said.

John Hart, of Terrace, said Assembly members should avoid getting bogged down in maintaining local representatives who, he argued, enjoyed little power in the Legislature. He argued for a pure proportional system. "Throw out first-past-the-post, it doesn’t serve anyone’s interests," he said.

Kitimat’s Reg Stowell focused on giving voters a greater say over their choice of candidates, by allowing voters to rank their choices on the ballot using a preferential voting system.

Lars Reese-Hansen focused on the impact a revised voting system would have on society. He said a more transparent and accountable form of government would foster a more balanced and civil society. He backed MMP, but added: "I encourage you to do something in an instrumental way. Take a chance."

Keith Olson, of Terrace, suggested voters should be tested on their knowledge of election issues before being allowed access to the ballot box. He also felt that an MLA’s voting power should be weighted to correspond with their volume of popular support.