Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
National

John Horgan Says Next Year's Electoral Reform Referendum Likely B.C.'s Last Attempt

The Canadian Press, 25 Dec, 2017 12:54 PM
    VICTORIA — A pact with the Green party that allowed the NDP to form a minority government in British Columbia is a working example of electoral reform ahead of a referendum on the issue next year, Premier John Horgan says.
     
     
    There have been a few bumps in the agreement between the New Democrats and Greens since last May's tumultuous provincial election, but Horgan said in a year-end interview the disagreements are just further proof that such an electoral model can work.
     
     
    The government passed legislation setting the stage for a provincial referendum by Nov. 30, 2018, that will ask residents if they support changing the voting system to a form of proportional representation in time for the next election in 2021.
     
     
    The mail-in vote would require a 50 per cent plus one margin of support to be successful.
     
     
    "If a minority government can continue to demonstrate results for people, they'll (voters) look at proportional representation with a different view," Horgan said. "They'll say, 'Maybe this is a good thing. Horgan has to get up everyday and work with people.' "
     
     
    While the Greens were angry about the NDP decisions to move ahead on Site C and its slow approach to ride sharing by ordering a review, they voted with the government to pass legislation to ban corporate and union donations to political parties, reform the registration of lobbyists and close a loophole in the Residential Tenacy Act to protect renters.
     
     
    "We passed a whole host of legislation," said Horgan. "In a minority situation or a situation where there's proportional representation, all points of view are on the table and all points of view have to be heard."
     
     
    Political scientists say proportional representation leads to more political parties and more choice for voters, but also increases the likelihood of coalition governments.
     
     
    Horgan said B.C.'s electoral system is not fair, with only one party in the past five elections forming government after receiving more than 50 per cent of the vote.
     
     
    The Opposition Liberals formed government briefly after the election and proposed an electoral reform referendum in its throne speech last June, only to vote against the referendum legislation proposed by the NDP.
     
     
    The Liberals said the New Democrats, with the support of the Greens, are formulating a referendum that ensures the results are slanted towards proportional representation.
     
     
    "This is a deliberate and cynical attempt by the NDP and the Green party to manipulate a specific result that will allow them to cling to power," Liberal Andrew Wilkinson said in a statement.
     
     
    Green Leader Andrew Weaver said it's the Liberal members who want to preserve the first-past-the-post system despite surveys that indicate 70 per cent of B.C. voters favour change.
     
     
    "It's in their vested interest to try to maintain the status quo because the status quo is what they want in order to have a Liberal majority government," he said. "It's not clear to me British Columbians want majority after majority after majority."
     
     
    B.C. voters turned down two previous referendums on electoral reform in 2005 and 2009.
     
     
    Horgan said the referendum will likely be B.C.'s last if it's rejected.
     
     
    "I think we will have exhausted the public's interest in this issue," Horgan said.
     
     
    Horgan said the referendum will be a major political topic next year, but housing will dominate February's budget.
     
     
    "We need to build more units," he said. "Not just one bedroom condominiums, but we need to build two and three bedroom apartments and homes for families. And we need to dampen down the speculation in the market."

    MORE National ARTICLES

    B.C. Snow Storm Leaves 19,000 Without Power After Storm; Down From 75,000

    VICTORIA — BC Hydro says about 19,000 customers remain without power because of heavy, wet snow and freezing rain.

    B.C. Snow Storm Leaves 19,000 Without Power After Storm; Down From 75,000

    Abbotsford Police Remember Fallen Officer Const. John Davidson In Annual Christmas Card

    Abbotsford Police Remember Fallen Officer Const. John Davidson In Annual Christmas Card
    ABBOTSFORD, B.C. — The Abbotsford Police Department has created its annual Christmas card after a challenging year that included the fatal shooting of Const. John Davidson.

    Abbotsford Police Remember Fallen Officer Const. John Davidson In Annual Christmas Card

    Ex-Mountie Tim Shields Charged With Sex Assault Found Not Guilty

    Ex-Mountie Tim Shields Charged With Sex Assault Found Not Guilty
    VANCOUVER — A provincial court judge has found former British Columbia RCMP inspector Tim Shields not guilty of sexual assault.

    Ex-Mountie Tim Shields Charged With Sex Assault Found Not Guilty

    Richmond, B.C. Mountie Brian Eden Fired After Sending Texts, Photos To Teen In Sex-Assault Case

    Richmond, B.C. Mountie Brian Eden Fired After Sending Texts, Photos To Teen In Sex-Assault Case
    Last month's conduct board decision says former constable Brian Eden's behaviour undermines the public confidence in the force and the RCMP has now dismissed him.

    Richmond, B.C. Mountie Brian Eden Fired After Sending Texts, Photos To Teen In Sex-Assault Case

    Justin Trudeau To Visit India In February

    Justin Trudeau To Visit India In February
    The Prime Minister's Office says it has people in India exploring trip opportunities, but won't confirm a visit.

    Justin Trudeau To Visit India In February

    Justin Trudeau, Andrew Scheer Put Families On Their Christmas Cards

    Justin Trudeau, Andrew Scheer Put Families On Their Christmas Cards
    Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer are going with a family theme on their Christmas — or holiday — cards this year.

    Justin Trudeau, Andrew Scheer Put Families On Their Christmas Cards