The Editor,

I’ve heard the argument that proportional representation gives rise to smaller splinter parties and that may be true — it depends on the preferences of voters.

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Of course, that is just what a true democracy is supposed to reflect.

Still, it might be of interest to learn that, since 2005, Elections BC says some 40 different parties have contended for seats in our provincial legislature (see the list, below) so small parties are nothing new, nor are they anything to be afraid of, especially given a hefty 5% vote threshold for proportional seats.

So please, stop the fear-mongering about Nazis. Chicken Little has been put to shame by such exaggeration and innuendo.

Nick Heath, Coquitlam

According to Elections BC, the following parties have fielded candidates in provincial elections from 2005 to 2018:

• 4BC

• Advocational Party

• B.C. Patriot Party

• BC Vision

• BC Action Party

• BC Cascadia Party

• BC Citizens First Party

• BC Excalibur Party

• BC First

• BC Green Party

• BC Liberal Party

• BC Marijuana Party

• BC NDP

• BC Refed

• BC Reform

• BC Social Credit Party

• BC Unity Party

• BC Youth Coalition

• British Columbia Party

• Communist Party of BC

• Christian Heritage Party of B.C.

• Conservative

• DR BC

• Emerged Democracy Party of B.C.

• Helping Hand Party

• Land Air Water-The L.A.W.

• Libertarian

• MDM

• NAP

• People’s Front

• Republican Party

• The Freedom Party

• The Platinum Party

• The Progressive Nationalist Party

• The Sex Party

• The Vancouver Island Party

• Unparty: The Consensus-Building Party

• Western Canada Concept

• Work Less Party

• Your Political Party of BC (YPP)

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AS PREDICTED: MMP



The Editor,

So Premier John Horgan not only favours the mixed-member proportional (MMP) form of proportional representation, which I predicted in a previous letter to The Tri-City News, he now insists on vetoing the party-led “closed list” version for the “open list,” where the public votes for the remaining balance of proportional candidates.

Premier Horgan’s move comes in the middle of the referendum voting process itself, after all the ballots and supplementary material have been sent out.

This reminds me of Premier Doug Ford of Ontario, who recently changed the ridings of Toronto city council, mid-election.

It seems to me that self-inflicted bungling is an equal-opportunity activity among political leaders across Canada, and now poor British Columbians have to endure yet another degree of illegitimacy to the NDP-led referendum process.

Joerge Dyrkton, Anmore

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'TRUE DEMOCRACY'

The Editor,

The arguments being put forward by those who want to retain our broken voting system are not factual. No one has yet come up with a good, factual reason for not moving to proportional representation (PR).

Lies and largely fearmongering are all the “no” supporters can offer.

The current first past the post (FPTP) system is not democratic when 35% of those who vote elect a majority government that does not represent the remaining 65% in any way.

If laws were passed in the legislature with the same system, everyone would be outraged, and rightly so; a “yes” from 35% of the elected MLA’s when 65% oppose is not democracy. Neither is FPTP.

Unless one votes for the winning candidate/party in FPTP, one’s vote is wasted and useless. I am tired of having to vote for a candidate I really do not want just to hopefully ensure another candidate I want even less is unsuccessful. So-called strategic voting is not true democracy. We deserve to be represented according to how we vote — that is true democracy.

Countries that use PR are among the most advanced and stable, and have sound economies. It is time we share in that. Vote for PR.

Byron Hosking, Pitt Meadows

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GET INFORMED, VOTE



The Editor,

I am writing this letter to address all those folks who haven’t yet voted in the referendum on electoral reform because “it’s too political.”

I have this to say to them: Everything is political — your health care accessibility, your health care premiums, your access to education, your wages, your taxes, etc.

Almost every aspect of life is determined in the legislature and House of Commons. Either we become informed and politically active or we are ruled by the rich, the lobbyists and those with vested interests that have nothing to do with us and our best interests or the best interests of the province.

I hope others will make a concerted effort to educate themselves for this crucial referendum. There is so much information out there, from Elections BC and Fair Vote Canada-BC.

I have been following the referendum on proportional representation (PR) for the past year and I believe the best way to eliminate our current adversarial, bullying style of politicking and government, and bring a collaborative, cohesive, inclusive, more equitable and just democracy is to vote Yes for PR.

I’ve voted Yes and I hope all those who believe in democracy and who want to leave a better province for their children and grandchildren will do the same.

Linda Wall, Kamloops