British Columbians will soon vote on proportional representation. The current electoral system allows a political party with 40 per cent of the popular vote to form a majority government and ignore the remaining 60 per cent, essentially eliminating the intended balance of power vested in the legislature, and also in the judiciary, if government invokes the notwithstanding clause in the Canadian Constitution.
The current system provides no checks and balances. A proportional-representation system would restore the intended checks and balances of the Canadian system of government that would share powers among the government, the legislature and the judiciary.
Proportional representation systems are common in Western democracies. They result in representation that mirrors the popular vote and force elected representatives from different political parties to collaborate.
I am going to vote yes for proportional representation because I care about democratic principles, but also about my children, grandchildren and future generations. Scientists are telling us that we are on the brink of an ecological disaster that threatens the existence of humanity and countless other species.
I want my government to do something to stop this disaster from unfolding. Currently, governments are unlikely to meet the objectives set out in the Paris Accord, are failing to meet the commitments they actually made and are essentially not taking humanity鈥檚 existential threat from climate change and other environmental crises seriously. I hope that with proportional representation, we will elect more politicians who care about our children, future generations and ecosystem stability, and act accordingly.
Lynda Gagn茅
Duncan
