By Greg Fry with files from Canadian Press

Mixed reaction to NDP’s electoral reform report

May 30, 2018 | 2:22 PM

KAMLOOPS — Former political foes from the Kamloops-North Thomson riding have expressed vastly differing views on B.C.’s new referendum and electoral reform report, entitled “How We Vote: 2018 Electoral Reform Referendum.”

On Wednesday, B.C. Attorney General David Eby announced he’s made 18 recommendations on the matter. One of those is the idea that voters be asked two questions in a referendum this fall to decide whether they want to switch the electoral system from first-past-the-post to some form of proportional representation.

The first would ask them if they’d like to switch from the current system. In the second question, voters would be given three options for proportional representation and be asked to rank them based on which they prefer.

Those three systems are: Dual Member Proportional (DMP), Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) and Rural-Urban PR. 

Dan Hines ran for the Green Party in the 2017 provincial election and says he’s happy with the fact the government will ask both questions on the ballot.

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“I think it’s good to have the initial question which is really asking about keeping the status quo and keeping us locked in to the kind of ongoing problems we’ve been having with the system we’ve implemented — this kind of antiquated first-past-the-post system,” he says. “And I think getting that question asked up front is good. The second question is good as well.”

Does he think voters will have enough time to read up on and digest the three differing proportional models before being able to make an informed decision?

“It’s a valid question. When you get into the details of those three options… It’s really easy to get lost in the woods and to get confused by the details of those differing options.”

Hines doesn’t have a preferred system though he’s supported the mixed member proportional system in the past because it is used in New Zealand where, like Canada, there was a Westminster system and first-past-the-post.

“All three have some merit, all have some questions. It’ll be interesting to see where people come down and I’m watching the commentary and those that are well-informed and I’m looking for their input as well.”

On the contrary, following Question Period Wednesday Kamloops North-Thompson Liberal MLA Peter Milobar called the report “quite troubling.”

“Essentially what the premier and attorney general are saying is in absence of details people should vote and then after the vote has happened cabinet will go to a closed door and figure out what electoral system we have going forward. And that’s fundamentally flawed. It’s a multiple choice question and I really think people need clarity on this.”

And speaking of clarity, he doesn’t think there’s near enough time for the public to digest all the necessary information.

“I guess that’s the ultimate in irony in this whole system. The government is insisting there’s enough time for people to fully understand the systems yet not enough time to get independent maps drawn up to show people what the electoral boundaries in the three areas of differing proportional representation systems would represent.”

The public engagement period for feedback on the issues lasted 14 weeks ending February 28, 2018. More than 91,000 questionnaires were completed.

The referendum voting period will be by mail-in ballot and run Oct. 22 to Nov. 30.

You can view the report by clicking here.