by Scott Adams

The non-partisan BC Citizens’ Assembly held public meetings in 50 towns and cities throughout the province during May and June to listen to suggestions on how to improve the provincial electoral system.
Two people from each of the 79 ridings form the assembly. The first public meeting, held May 3 in Vancouver, was attended by nine presenters, 20 assembly members and about 100 members of the public.
The assembly’s third phase occurs this fall when members will either endorse the current system or propose a specific alternative, which will go to a referendum during the next provincial election on May 17, 2005. If voters endorse changes, referendum results will then be implemented in time for the 2009 election.
The existing first-past-the-post winner-takes-all system so completely distorts the true vote on election day that it should be changed. The citizens’ assembly must present its final version of the report to the attorney general no later than December 15, 2004 for tabling in the legislature.
A very well organized non-partisan group based in Toronto is publicizing, promoting and coordinating small independent groups working to change our out-dated electoral system both at the national level and in the provinces and territories. Contact Fair Vote Canada, 26 Maryland Blvd., Toronto, Ontario, M4C 5C9, 416 410-4034 info@fairvotecanada.org, or www.fairvotecanada.org. The BC Citizens’ Assembly can be reached at 2288 - 555 W. Hastings St., PO Box 12118, Vancouver, BC, V6B 4N6, 1-866-667-1232 toll free, in Vancouver 604 660-1232, www.citizensassembly.bc.ca. The Free Your Vote campaign address is Box 130, Gibsons BC, V0N 1V0, info@freeyourvote.bc.ca or www.freeyourvote.bc.ca.
Scott Adams is the author of several books on social, economic and political issues and founder of Habitat Canada, a federal political party. He intends to re-establish his party under its new name, the Prosperity Party of Canada, Box 612, 1027 Davie St., Vancouver, BC, V6E 4L2, 604 682-3269 ext 7058.