* Pioportional representation?. First- -past-the- post? The Citizens’ Assembly: “wants to hear your. take « on. electoral reform in Terrace next Tuesday Ee! By JENNIFER. LANG ~~. SANDRA HART | says being a. member of the. -»» Citizens" Assembly on, electoral Teform i is'a. -lot 11 like ‘going to back to school.- ree me Hart, a- retiree: from, Teirace, spent six: : weekends holed:.up’: in “the Morris J. “‘Wosk - Centre. for: Dialogue: in” Vancouver: with: 159): ao people from across ‘British: Columbia... . 82. Their job? To-learntabout ‘about various Vo~ Bee ting systems. uséd-in other paris: ‘of the: world. = They listened: to lectures by. experts. ‘They ‘P _ “asked: questions. ‘They broke into. discussion - -groups'and: had heated debates. “°°. ve 2 ST was fascinating!” ‘Hart® said: AT felt after- i _ ‘wards like: Td: ‘taken: a ‘litle course: in Poli Sci .. 2 but hopefully I wasn't going: to. have an exam.”. “ss The weekend. sessions: were. exhausting; but : a well ‘worth: ‘the. trip. Attendance: was 100 O per we cent most of the: ‘time. : : “of “isappointed ‘when, it. finished: ‘The Sonik: were ‘all teally keen’ and very, Very friendly.” + Hart, ‘a former. teacher and ‘consultant, is: - ‘one. of: two members: of: the representing the ‘provincial: Tiding: of. Skeena. on ‘the assembly. - One’-man’ and” ‘one. woman:from each of. - 79. _Tidifigs -are ‘on. the assembly, along with two: aboriginal members. Their: task isto stidy various voting: sysieris : to'see if, ‘there! s a better way to vote than’ the oy 17, .2005 ~ the! date: af the’ next: pro- present ‘system in place now:. ~~ Vinicial: eléction: “Any changes would “Tt's.a: “year-long: ‘Commitment: “The assembly. “be in. ‘place j in 2009. a bled its ‘preliminary: report, kicking” off. twore “While.“the - Citizens’: Assembly ‘months of public hearings across B.C. . did: not: ‘make: any recommendation week;..the’. public.. ‘hearings : thove “in its recent: - preliminary. Statement, t rough. the northwest = * arriving. in Terrace two. importatit features. ‘of-an, elector: Tuesday night. ~.- . ah vall system: were. -highlighited:: Toeal . "Some: of the: places where they’ ve iad the “ ‘representation and proportionality,’ ‘hearings. have been - absolutely full: — ‘they’ ve “TE think ‘a lot: of people: feel ‘like Sandra Hart - -had “to. hayé: extra ‘sessions,’ Hart said. = hope. Bld they. don’t vote for one ofthe two | ~a lot of -peoplé comé to the’ Gne here.” ae major. ‘parties, their: vote ‘is. wasted: ‘and: ‘their = So-far, 400 written: submissions have. come *. -voice-isn't heard = especially’ in’B.C2 ‘in. “for: the ’ ‘Citizens’: -Assembly ‘to, pongider: Ge : She hasa lot of faith ‘in the: ability. ot B: com ‘Theyre’ posted’ on the website, _ o “residents to understand” the © concepts being. : mo SAS lot ‘of, them want. some kind. of propor- “talked: about. t - ‘tonal system, ‘Some’ want a’ “system: “thal sayss. << Hart-is; ‘Joking: forward. to the’ hearing in® ‘government.”:... “None. of. the above,” ‘Hart: said. “Others “say Terrace, She's alsd Slated : ‘to: attend. a. session X aa they: don’ 't Want a change.” : in’ Kelowna: later’ on ‘this: month; - on “The assembly reconyenes: in ‘the: fall. If. thes -members recommend moving to a ‘different: vo-. B Cr -The- people. who vote. ' We can 'suggest ‘ting ystem i in: its final Feport, the provincial whatever we wants but ‘it’ 8: up | to » the People of. Do you like B. c. ’s electoral system? te \ v 7 4a = By REN CARTY” oe “AS BOTH A judgement on the: past, and a pre- | . * ference for the. future, the’ votes. we cast during” ‘elections: shape> policies: erucial-to our’ “every=. , day. lives: such ‘as. health. care, ‘Taw: enforce- ment and éducation. they’ re on the road listening to the views ol British Columbians across. the province. . government has promised ‘to hold a “referendum, an oo "That: would take. place on: ‘May they’ Il. know. what. ‘they. want? obligation to-vole anymore.” . said. Hart, who-has -always vated... whether to: slay’. with the’ status qua “change. “The -real choice is. made - by. the’ peaple: of ‘sassembly. bes Cas | “There is lel to cénsidér.” ; . For mest of: the. last century,. B.C. has used, a ~aind still uses; a: ‘first-past- the-post’ system for. _ provincial elections. ‘That is, the winner -in-a, “constituency - is the: candidate - securing the... =: — greatest number. ‘of votes. without necessarily” ; But -what-our’ vote’ never. changes or rarely ». TeCelvIng an ‘overall’ majority. & ie : yuestions 7 48 the underlying electoral: system. > Our system. thas ‘been’ in’ widespread, use in - a ; OG “British Columbia: for, most“of. our-history’.and ~~ their’ concerns must, struggle. to-he heard: » has served: ‘s-well.. We have: a flourishing. de: : embers. of ‘the Citizens’. -Assembly on: Elec:" “mocracy in. which voters: ‘hold Politicians and. -toral Reform, ' ‘a-non- partisan group’ of randomly.” governments: _accountable.: QL eet "sélectéd -individuals :from -across: B.C; In’ De-»: °° Tt-has. resulted, ‘however; in: winning parties. ‘ Jember - “members: will ‘recommend. the’ ‘best often receiving ' ‘a disproportionate: majority: of... electoral: system: for the proyince.. ‘As. part of ils ». seats ‘in the ‘Legislature while. ‘smaller: -Opposi- : ‘review, 49. public : imeetings- are. taking ‘place ‘tion: parties: ‘have: found: it ‘more: difficult lo'se- across B. C.. = including. One in. Terrace. NeXt gure seats + despite inning. a sizeable Portion ‘Tuesday ~ = $0 o residents can, have their say, too. “Of. voles: m “The: ‘Assembly, in its preliminary’ statement, as éxpressed in-their votes, ‘Members are’ ‘also vi ews.. f how. we will ‘practice democracy itself... e way. we vote - ee By CAMPBELL SHARMAN. bess ‘cause 5 of ‘cultural, "politcal: and histofical: I die _ ; WHAT. KIND. ‘of. electoral .chaices and ‘what ferences; the same electoral-system’ can ‘work | “T kind of: politics we’ ivant in British Columbia ° very, differently’ and: “produce, different Tesults Jin. are key. issues to. be Brappled with: when. ana- differént places.::0°2 ‘ lysing: which. voting. system. is best: suited ‘to me Al ‘all but: two. encral’ elections: B. C “has” our’ provi ce used’a fi irst-past-the-post (plurality). voting sys-- >. the “electorate,” This. is-the. task undertaken by the. ‘Citizen fem: This: ‘provides. identifiable Jocal: members, ° “Assembly: on Eléctoral Reform: —“a historic op- ~ buitsmall Parties have found it difficult: to se: ; portunity: for- 160. randomly.. selected, non-parti-’ cure seats: despite. winning: a sizeable “portion an members: ofthe general. public. to ‘shape of; the Vote. : ‘our electoral, system... _. “Another kind: of. voting: aystem: “When il comes to, ‘seeking the’ test: ‘system - ‘majority system’ where the: winning. candidate °.: r:B.C., oné-thing is clear; if we.wani,to con- -° must oblain more: than. 50 per.cent‘of the: vote.” ‘>sider-a:new: “electoral system,: we cannot: sim-: This: can: be:achieved. by. having, run-off: elec: ; «ply. adopt a. system. off the shelf :without(‘first” tions in: tidings: where no, candidate: “gains: a: : examining | ‘how it would fit our’ ‘society. and po-.” majority, or using a preferential challot ‘go that® “litical process’; “> * - “the second: ‘preferences: ‘of -the Teast successful: - Safar’ the: ‘Assembly. has reviewed . five fa-- » candidates: chelp .one ofthe. remaining. gandi- milies of, democratic, electoral ‘systems. Be- * dates. to o build majority: SUPpOT. ; History in the making: the Citizens’ Aseembly © ‘By LEO PERRA_ fram arotind the world. Va-. A:PATCHWORK quilt: ‘of : Thes” are “being - explored - -, personalities —” of: young’. and tested. as members. re- “and old; of:urban and-rural views, what: components, ~ British Coluribians’ —“ the ~ they ‘consider. are. impor- Citizens’ “Assembly. j is-one’...tant: to: our political sys “of the: great: experiment, it tem, _ public: policy making: ~ 7 May. ‘members’ ‘are ‘able ‘Later this year, “the: ‘As ‘10 provide a valuable ‘his- - sembly. will: Seliver. a "re: torical ;context to’ group | commendation. . © the’: “discussions; . ‘and ‘offer. in- =, whe- "sight into political sysiems. je elsewhere in the. world. - made. to: our electoral: sys: - Several. originally came: “two? of the above four systeths are mixed. - “BY, engaging. iit’ such a-wholehearted: review. > zens.throughout-BC™ _ ficeka at te. Citizens: “Assembly for ‘political. ‘reform: din Sri ‘Lanka vuntil: . 1980s when a “violent civil. sus. over: whether: we. ASSEMBLY members debate voting systems. and diversity of: B. AC Be fant, dreams until, they are _ What other factors are. - T. “A tenth: ‘Should: they choose. to. froth: countries where poli-. rived here... ~ important ‘to British Co-. . ee “Tete oting system,” tical’ ‘oppression... = tather ‘To what: extent changes. lumbians? me their recommendation will. than’: expréssion: “had: to ‘the electoral ‘system. - Voter choice? Local re. : i "80. to: ‘the Vote i in a. referen-. “characterized. daily. life. | ‘would - energize. a younger a ‘presentation? Proportional-*: ; For them,, our basic ‘princi-.’: generation ' ‘of voters: will” ity. - dn other. words, how... ples ‘of. deme cratic frde-. be: sone” ‘of: many" factors. ¢ } I i . dom, such. as LO. refi “vote, Or: 10..éven ‘question 38 political syste ‘were -dis~" Ti > Leo: Pe tra. Citizens’ Blactoral Reforin. has. ‘sludied: seVeral ‘fami- dies, of -eléctoral: “systems 4 scussed: CASE: - studies . ensassembly. beied THE CITIZENS Assembly has been meeting in: Vancouver since early this year, Now: - B .C.-‘That’ 3 why. I think® ‘it’s impor=: J tant’ that- everybody. takes a good | look at what the “changes could: be. - so’ thal: ‘if-it: comes to: a, referendum “ Hart laments. that.a prowing: number. : ' Canadians don’t feel. the moral . “They've. become: disenchanted, oe me "tobacco: ‘and alcohol taxes anda: host of: fees. ‘The | The. assembly.-. members. .may : not | have -taken-a_ formal” Position: on pe or. not, but, Hart. admits she’ s. open. to 7 ae ia Tike: to see. the: votes: translated ‘into. : seats: in-a more proportional: way: because that: s way, ‘you'd, be. assured: of” getting a good oppo-~ tion: And with good opposition, you: “get good te Byes a theres was’ one.: © “The public meeting ‘on electoral-reformn lakes i Booey ‘ < plaée: ‘Tuesday, June 8 at the: Coast Inn. of the ; West from. 6:30 t0-9:30 | pale To niake @ ‘presénta- mf “Hon; call 1-866-667-1232, or’ r visit: ww. cittzen-. ‘ ‘indicated’ it is important that the outcome of. an election, in- terms of the: distribution ‘of. . seats, ‘should. reflect the intentions’ of citizens - aware “that: British - ‘Columbians in ‘more: tural Z areas, and in locations far. ‘removed from’ the: « Lower. Maintand;: feel: especially strongly thar . -Now, ae ‘Assembly 1 needs "| ‘to hear, Fy: - research offi icer "for. the Cintgens’ Assembly. a “The Assembly has also. studied two: types ‘of £ ae! proportional ‘representation; -parly list systems, ° AS, ‘and. ‘mining). pay: “royalty ‘rates based: on selling. - -and-the single transferable: vote system. Both are, designed . -lo ensure ‘a: ‘Tange: of opinion in-- the: Legislature reflects the. range of ‘pinion in . Finally, the ‘Assembly has fevlawed mined: TY of our electoral, process,’ I believe ‘ihat British: Columbians can-.be assured ‘that, whatever | sys- ve ters ‘chosen; it will reflect the: values. of cil. if “ “professor at UBC: He:is ‘Associate Research Of. lectoral Re: qo ber: RB: (Bob) Herath; of - Surrey, was: an advocate’ the ° “early: : war foreed him ‘to-flees"I.}: am. very optimistic’ the As-'-. sembly will, build consen-.” should change’'the- present i system, or not. The. process J: _ epitomises. the ‘uriiqueness — is. dug “ - Operations Officer: at the “. “Assembly” ‘on ‘| "Kea. Carty’ isa: ‘professor. and former. head of Te UBC'S political , deparinient. He is chief 1. oe 4 political science depariment. He is ¢ lef I approximately’ $5-per. megawait. of’ power: produced. A a __ | further: $5 per. ‘megawatt: is Alcan’s.cost to generate “f) this power. If: you ‘sell -at- $50: per: megawatt, this’ ee m equals a 900 percent ‘profi it margin, | _ = f tiave a: margin like: this. : Campbell Sharman’ is an hionérary a associate ye ‘ start working f for: then. ei. 1: secitg you: all thee again. © The Terrace Standard, Wednesday, June 2, 2004 - AS CORRESPONDENCE FOR THE TERRACE STANDARD _ . _The Mail Bag ~ AO D: e The call has. come. “Dear Sirs, ; "Canadians :have been. summoned’ to: the. “polling” ; “booth The. Commander in ‘Chief thas. given. the’ all. : : ‘Wearily,- some. will drag. their. fect to: “exereise their co democratic right. - - When: one “suiveys the, offerings from each of ‘the an on ; : _ major players, ‘theré:is-little. wonder. we. realize this: IS Fe Tittle more than: an ¢xercise fraught with’ ‘danger. The: arrogant . Liberals, ° ‘shamed. by. scandal, have . ‘gloated. over their reckless past: Off to the: races, they rea “have promised $9-billion in health care reform:.. are If; they. “spend. $9. billion -like: they have, ‘spent nee millions i in sponsorship. ‘scandals. and- gun registry; the: picture will look like: this: ‘Each. hospital will. need to. wen corivert 25 wards ‘inito’ administration’ ‘TOOMS. to’ provide mes sufficient space for another 25 administrators'to join: <=. the existing 25 ‘administrators to. manage ‘the: ‘three: vas nurses ‘working: ithe floor. 2. The NDP- have come. through: with, a novel: idea; a balanced budget and.to"fax the'rich! Ii is:encouraging.. ©: -”. ‘to know ‘that the NDP. Can -even read-a‘balancé sheet, ° y let alone figure: out away -to’ balance .a budget. Bute. - _ taxing: the rich — that idea’ went out two: centuries ago. | Since when-do you -tax'.the-rich? They. move ‘their money, around and. out of the’ ‘country. long. before Any of ‘NDP Government will see a penny of-it.. - ; »» You can send that -idea down: with, the ood shi ao - Titanic = . that's. where it belongs. *: » Ah, the. Conservatives!. How | lucky’ “we: “are, oS ~ Thankfully they have: rénamed ‘themselves. eThele, oy ideas have'gone from: Progréssive to, Regressive: ee a "Tax ‘cuts: they shout ‘for all to hear. What: they are. “tying to tell you is ‘that we intend to- ‘rob Peter to: pay: ue -. Paul. : Since when: does:a. ‘government reduce. its share. _ of revenue: ‘intake?- we British Columbians : ‘all Jearnt, that. from. ‘Gordon o ‘the ‘civil -sérvicé, “raised. Provincial: Sales :Tax;. |” -Teveriue: has to come ‘from’ somewhere... | determine how to: achieve this objective. - L wish: Mr. Kingsley. well. A Gaunting, task, : if ever | “Bob Petrai ‘Terrace: B. Cc. — ” lean’ Ss | power bonanza --Dear Sir; : - Justa few. ‘comments - ‘on your May. re 2004 « , “editorial. The District‘ of. Kitimat is-niot- suing’ Alcan oe ; -’ | -but’has petitioned. the. court:to make. an’ interpretation” a ‘iL, onkhe. 1:950.ahid,1997) contebicts.i. : “4k i aie Lb "As-to'the.use. of ihe power, derived. ‘fem the people of. B.C."s, -Nechako’ River,’ is” it::for.. aluminum. ye “production ‘and. industrial. development: or. does: | “allow: Alcan to:sell. power at any.cost? - oe ot In November 2001, Alcan: submitted. to he: ‘Bhergy. . “Policy ‘Task’ Foteé “of? B.C. a paper: with. recommendations that. BC: ‘Hydro: be deregulated: and. - ~ that: generation; be separated: from ihe ‘transmission -- fe system, ‘The BC Liberal: government has:done this. ‘Alcan has ‘also :asked vihat'it be: ‘given’ the. same- unfettered’ Tights. to. BC Hydro’: s.transmission lines;'as.- _ Hydro «itself — and further, to. be the. direct: seller. of tee are: . considering | is not: which. party “should te : electricity, as opposed to selling to'BC Hydro, . lected ‘wit de , ‘but’ the notion elecied wi hin’our: lemocracy ut the tio ion a BC will lose huridreds ‘of millions. of dollars, “If the. Liberal Government. ‘allows. ‘this. to happen, : . : “T- will-now try: to” ‘show . your readers. - what, is <- happening: today. _Alcan's- water. license. costs them: I'm: “sure all: northwest businesses would: ove to es - All other. ‘natural. resources’ (eg: lumber, ‘oil: and ° price. Why not: Alcan, ‘who- is: using. thé water of the: _.Nechako River for other than what. it was: intended a ~ aluminum , production- and industrial: development, ; _| -within ‘the vicinity of the: Works; ~. Le |. A quick.comment on Roger-Harris’ figures, sihich, on .'systems.-This’ is a.label which covers: a grab: “|: have fo reality. based on Alean’s own figures, “bag ‘of: électoral'systems “where: elements: OF “Alcan has stated, on. marly occasions, that anew. “smelter. ‘or-rebuild: and ‘plant, ‘expansion’ using. all: =. |, available power would create 50-100 more jobs.than - “were in the.plant in. July 2001. ‘That number was 1750.50 “This: would: be - again of. over:.400°. jobs | that " presently éxist- today. This would-be Welcome news to: ck Kitimat,: ‘Kitamaat. Village, and Terrace,” * ; : mt “So-Mr: Harris, stop misinforming « the # eowle and i” : AG fantastic festival : Dear. Sir: tee ee, " Once: again ‘northwest citizens: ‘have: ‘nade the. 39h mo! s Annual Pacific. ‘Northwest Music: Festival: ‘a huge. es Success... Every ‘year you, leave: ‘our adjudicators: in absolute. a awe over the”:warm and friendly. tréatinent they receive, .[. would like -to thank-you all-for your hard work and dedication. to keeping. this festival: ‘one. of " the’ ‘highest. rated i in all of British Columbia,” ‘We: look’ forward: to: our: 40th ‘anniversary and: 7 : " Paelfie: Northwest Music Festival = “About the Mail. Bag. “Thi: ‘Terrace. Standard welcomes : Jettars. our’ -address is’ 3210. Clinton:St., Terrace, B.C,.V8G . “5R2; You can. fax. us.at- 250- 638-8432: or-e-mail « [ us-at newsroom @terracestandard: com. “No. “| attachments,, please, . : mo ‘address: and. phone riumber for_verification. Our 4 .deadiine is noon:Frid ay < or noon Thursday if. its a 7 tong washand: me — We need. your. name, . Campbell: and his Liberal bunch... Mr: Campbell i isn't “one of.Canada’s brightest politicians: however he gave... Pall. a 25 percent’ tax. cut: at the -beginning.- -of his’. ~~ mandate. With:a shortfall i in ‘revenue,’ ‘he: then; guittered a ~So- that: -leads.; us - to Jean:Pierre ‘Kingsley: an . Remember. him?: He: is: our beloved: ‘Chief Electoral a ° Officer of Canadas 2 co, oo Mr -Kitigsley’ 8 responsibility among other. things i is “0 get the. citizenry out-to voté: He is. still trying. to : “With what is being: offered by-all the. rain § players;: 7 oe Ray Brady, = ak eer Kitimat B.C. os oo Kelly 1 ‘Lima, president - a