praise and also criticism

‘A PROPOSED new way of

“group of people here last:

A2 - The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, May 11, 2005

New vote proposal draws

voting will give people more
control over who they elect .
to. office, says a local resi-
dent who helped craft the

proposal.

Sandra Hart told a small —

week that the idea of being

_able to vote for more than

one representative to ‘the
provincial legislature in-

. creases voter choice.

She was one of two peo-

| ple from the Skeena riding .

named to a 160-member as-
~ sembly which met for more

‘than one year to come up

with the plan for a single
transferable’ vote (STV).
It’s the subject of a ref-

» erendum being held on the

same day as the Provincial -
election. “
- The number of Members.

" of the Legislative Assembly

(MLAs) will stay the same.
but the number of ridings.

’ will be reduced if the system

is adopted.

In‘ this | ‘area that could —

likely mean a larger north-—

‘west»riding represented by

“two or three MLAs.

That concept of increased

: MIKE SCOTT, elected as -
. Skeena’s MP in 1993 as a

Reformer.and in 1997 under:
the Canadian Alliance ban-

-. Mer, wants back into Political
life.

This time Scott is seéking
the Conservative nomination
for what could very well be -
‘an imminent federal election

* <call. wl 2

| political life just before the ..

Scott retired from active

** 2000 federal election, pav-

ing the way for Andy Burton

" “to take the: Canadian Alli-

ance/Conservative . nomina-

"tion and the riding..Burton

wae mek

- then‘ lost to NDPer-Nathan .
. Cullen in the 2004 election. ©

“If am nominated, I am.”
going to contrast Nathan —

Cullen’s' anti-job agenda
with our ideas for develop-
ment and wealth creation,”

said. Scotti in rs ‘release ‘Yast.

week. ~ _

He said the revelations
from the _Gomery: inquiry
and the recent deal between.

www.hawkair.ca

Call your local travel agent .

voter choice will reduce the
power of political parties

and make. MLAs more re- .
sponsible to the wishes of .
-their constituents, said Hart. ©

“There will also be more
fairness in voting,” she said.

The current system,
called first past the post; is a
winner take all way of elect- _
ing people, Hart added.

But by being able to elect
more than one person, a
voter can-choose a candidate ©
from a political party they
support but also someone

-who they feel can best rep-

resent issues specific to their

area, she said. - Oe
STV works by people

listing their preferences on

_a ballot.

Should only one candi-

‘date reach the required num-_

ber of votes to be elected at
the first round of counting,
second preferences then
come into play. Last place

» contenders are also dropped

from the ballot : and their
votes redistributed to those
still in the running.

- Patti Barnes, one of those °.

‘who attended Hart’s talk,
‘liked the idea of having can-

the NDP and the Liberals to
preserve the latter’s minority
government helped convince

‘him to run again. - .

Since leaving office in.
2000,. Scott and wife Mi-
chelle founded a road con-
struction company called .
Magnum Road Builders and

then Standard Paving. The

BICYCLE.

_what the parties say,”
“said,

Sera ei Bikes starting :
| at $329. OO!!! .

7 Days A Week 635-5225 Lazelle Mini Mall

Sandra Hart

didates tuned to their. con-
Stituencies...

“Regions | will have real
issues and they don’t care
she

Others said the, idea of
taking power away from
political parties might result
in miniority . governments
where MLAs will need to
work by consensus to make
the legislature function. —__

BEES. «
- TWO FORMER ’provin-
cial politicians don’t buy
STV as a benefit to rural rid-

- Ex-MP seeks comeback

latter has just secured a long
term paving contract with
the city. -

While in office, Scott be-

came a high profile critic and

opponent of land claims.

- He became particularly
well known for his opposi-
.tion to the Nisga’a treaty

which was signed in 2000.

VOLUNTEERS, NEEDED!] |

Pi - 7 foe

“Suppoit the ‘Alzheimer Society, of B. C.in our community.

; Coffee Break is an event that raises funds through
hosted gatherings. We're looking for volunteers to help
coordinate this event and recruit hosts in our community. &

Please contact us at (250) 860-0305,
“1-800-634-3399 or
‘e-mail jmacgillivray@alzheimerbc.org.

Alzheimer Socie¢y

BRITISH COLUMBIA

» interests,

ings and residents.
~“while we will continue
to have 79 MLAs, there will

‘be as few as 18 multi-mem-
R ber constituencies, each with

two to seven MLAs,” wrote
former Social Credit cabinet
minister Bud Smith and for-
mer NDP cabinet minister
Anita Hagen in a widely-

-distributed opinion piece.

“Under STV, rural resi-

~ dents will not ‘have’ much:
- chance to communicate’ di-
‘rectly with their MLAs be-

cause the geographic size of
each new larger constituen-
cy will be huge and simply
can’t provide local account-
ability,” they said.

And. both worry that the
size of ridings and the po-.
tential number of candidates

will make campaigning too
expensive.

“No individual,
dependent, no small-party
candidate and no aspiring
female candidate will be

able to afford such exorbi- «

tant election costs," ihe pair
continued.

“Big. money, from big
usually’ located :
in big cities, and probably
controlled by men, will have
even ‘more chance’to domi-
nate and influence B.C. polt-
ics,” ’ ‘they’said.

‘To pass, the referendum °

needs the approval of at least

60 per cent of the voters in -

at least 60 per cent of the
province’s 79 ridings.

You'll: find more onthe
STV proposal and local im-

‘plications on Page Ad,

no in-»

D .Max Min Total |2|.D Max Min Total
A Temp Temp Precip A Temp Temp Precip
Yy © mm}. Y¥ °C Cc |
29 155 43 00/73/29 21.8 4.0 0.0
30 13.9 80: 00/]'}30 250 62 0.0
1 180 55 * T/}|1 196 87 .0.4
12 168 73 O00}/2 133 83 0.2
BA ‘13 nla n/a nal|3 138 7.1 38.
forecaster at 14 176 #14 400/74 12.3 55 . 6.4,
PSPeRie 28 5 162 47 02/]/5 148 36» 2.0

re {ALURALADSELES ALE ALE EAB LEE DEE EE ED ERLOE NET.

NECHAKO NORTHCOAST CONSTRUCTION
reminds everyone to use caution while driving on
the roads this spring. Remember that with the
changing road conditions, comes the threat of
\, black ice, soft gravel sections and new potholes,
which car easily throw your vehicle in a direction
that you are not expecting. With the warmer
weather, road crews will be out doing surface
repairs, so please slow down, watch for them and
obey ail traffic control. Be aware and ensure your
safety and the safety of the roads crews.

This message is brought.to' you by your local
Highway and . Bridge Contractor, Nechako
Northcoast Construction.

a

MULE ELUUUUECE SIS eee ses

| Sparky is a 7 month old. male
Husky/Terrier X. Beautiful, friendly
dog. He is very spunky.and full of
fun. He's. good with other dogs,
cats and likes car/truck rides.
' Sparky would make a great family
pet for many years to come.

POND FISH 4

inp... Kelly is a 2 to 3 year old female
im Akita Cross.. She is super smart
and is very well behaved. Kelly was
B brought to us as a stray; sadly no
Mone has come to claim her. Kelly
is looking for a new forever home
with owners-who will walk, hike or
bike with her. She would make
an. awesome dog for someone
who spends a lot of time outdoors |
fs possibly in the bush. If you think.

« Kelly would fit into your lifestyle
¥ check her out.

VIEW ANIMALS AT: www.petfinder.com.
Come see these animals at the Terrace Animal Shelter

NOW IN STOCK sey

B.C. LIBERAL MATH DOESN'T ADD UP.

—_ Z
 COMEON. *
GORDON;

MAH! (6

“Authorized by the Terrace end District Teachers’ Union, Veralynn Munion,
President, registered sponsor under the Election Act, 250-635-4659"

_ - - 300 MILLION » CUT FROM PUBLIC EDUCATION -
j | + 150 MILLION * VOTE BUYING BUCKS _

(1 HINT: PUBLIC EDUCATION IS -
STILL IN THE HOLE /)

Reprinted with permission of Debbie Thompson Wison,
February 2005 —~

cowed _ - = Provincial General Election and
: Referendum on Electoral Reform.

Did you receive this card?

Tuesday, May 17, 2005 1S Voting Day.

Advance Voting:

’ For those voters unable to attend a voting place on General Voting

WHERE TO VOTE Information Card

=

CANADA

Location Address,

' [GENERAL VOTING DAY - TUSSDAY, MAY 17, 2008 >}

POSTES
F CANADA

+ Barty Elementary School
345 Barry Road. Noahero

Norther Community Contre
Ktain Road, Somowture

Advence Voting Locetion Addreesien):

NOWHERE GC N&W 6V3

“Voting Hours:

Tuesday, May 1) 17, 2005.

-SKEENA
236 City Centre, Kitimat, BC
'(250) 632-6551

SKEENA

Etks Hall
2822 Tetrault St, Terrace, BC

Riverlodge Comm Centre
654 Columbia Ave W, Kitimat, 8C

If you received this card in the mail, you are registered as a provincial
voter.-The card indicates the Advance Voting and General Voting places
in your area. Take it with you when you go to vote.

: If you didn’ t receive this card, contact Elections BC toll-free at
1-800-661-8683 or visit Elections BC's website at www.elections.bc.ca _
to find-your voting place. oO

a

General Voting is available from 8 a.m. to 8 pat m. 1. (Pacific time),

District Electoral Office:

Advance Voting Places:

Day, Advance Voting will be held from Wednesday, May 11 to
Saturday, May 14, 2005, 12 noon to 9 p.m. daily (local time).

- Choose only one candidate.
+ Mark your ballot with an X or v.

The Referendum question is “Should British Columbia change to ‘the
BC-STV electoral system as recommended ‘by the Citizen's Assembly
on Electoral Reform?”
- Choose either yes or no.
- Mark your referendum ballot with an. or v7.

You e trom 8.00 amt to 8.00 pm (Pacitc teng) at: . 1291663 bd
fro tay Secrny Seto 2 How to Vote:
—— ~ i Election Voting
. [avvancs VOTING - WED, MAY 11 TO GAT. MAY 14, 9008 ~ “J “YOUR ELECTORAL DISTRICT:
. Advance Voting 8 oben from 12700 noon to #00 om (loca) me) and 1s wheechar accetebie * Nomans Land
001 :
Goorga River Public Laorary
450 Gorge Streot, Nowhere Oo
ourer'e Referendum Voting
234 64 Wy)
MACKENZIE, KEN
217-7158 121 ST

For more information on the Referendum on Electoral Reform, —
visit the Referendum Information Office website at

www.gov.bc.ca/referendum_info —

. Or, call their toll-free information line at 1-800-668-2800 (in
Vancouver: 604-775-2800) from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Pacific
time) Monday to Friday. ,

Voter Registration:

SKEENA
Comm Assn Hatt

5 Rosswood Dr, Terrace, BC
Gitanyow Independent School

4 Ave, Gitanyow, BC

-www.elections.bc.ca

General Voting Places:

If you are not registered, you will need to register when you vote.
Take two pieces of ID that show (in combination) your name,
signature and current place of residence,

Gitwangak Comm Centre
220 3 Ave E; Kitwanga, BC
Kitamaat Village Fire Hall
358 Haisla Blvd, Kitimat, BC

- Kitsumkalum Comm Center
W Kalum Rd, Terrace, BC

You can register if you are:
- 18 years of age or older, or will be 18
on General Voting Day (May 17, 2005);
- a Canadian citizen; and .-
- a resident of British Columbia for the
' past six months.

Other Voting Options:

If you are unable to vote at your voting place, you may vote at any
other voting place. If you witl not be in your electoral district on
General Voting Day or Advance Voting Days, please contact your
district electoral office for other voting options.

Any Questions?

For further information visit Elections BC's website at

www.elections.bc.ca or call toll-free 1-800-661-8683.
_ Operators are available from

8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Pacific time) Monday to Friday and

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Pacific time) Saturday and Sunday.

Or, contact your district electoral office

* Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (local time) °
Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (local time)

Kitwanga Curling Club 1, Riverlodge Comm Centre
Kitwanga Rd N, Kitwanga, BC 654 Columbia Ave W, Kitimat, BC
Mount Elizabeth Sec School Terrace Arena
1491 Kingfisher Ave N, Kitimat, BC 3320 Kalum St, Terrace, BC

’ Mount Layton Hotsprings Thornhill Jr Sec School

37 Hwy, Lakelse Lake, BC 3120 Hwy 16 East, Thornhill, BC

ELECTIONS BC

A non- partisan Office of the Legislature

ks

1-800-661-8683

TTY 1- 1-888- 456-5448