File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

ELECTORAL REFORM

Kamloops MLA Stamer named to committee reviewing electoral reform

May 16, 2025 | 4:40 PM

KAMLOOPS — The B.C. Legislature has struck a new all-party committee on democratic and electoral reform comprised of MLAs from the NDP, Conservatives, Green parties.

Kamloops-North-Thompson MLA Ward Stamer has been named a Deputy Chair on the committee, and he told CFJC Today that he knows that with electoral reform conversations will come talks of proportional representation.

Stamer said B.C. has never had a parliamentary committee on electoral and democratic reform in the past.

“I certainly wanted to get to the bottom of some of the challenges we had in the previous election,” said Stamer. “But then to be able to listen to what people have to say when it comes to maybe making not only improvements to what we have right now, but maybe some other options that could be available. I know the Greens would like to talk about proportional representation and I do look forward to at least having that conversation.”

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Stamer also pointed to what has been seen at both the federal and provincial level over the past two elections, where ridings were determined by razor-tight margins. He said the Province needs to ensure that the voting process is accessible and trusted.

“And whether you are on vacation in Vancouver or Prince George, as long as you are in the system there shouldn’t be any reason you can’t vote,” Stamer added.

“I think there are some discrepancies on how that information flows back to Elections BC, and we are hoping to in subsequent elections [make it so] we don’t have anybody questioning the integrity of how we do the elections in our province because I think everybody understands every vote counts.”