I recently had the pleasure of introducing a modest reform agenda for British Columbia's democracy alongside two of my fellow independent MLAs.
In a spirit of "collaborative independence," John van Dongen, Bob Simpson and I worked together on six proposals that are practical, have been discussed often over the years and are doable in the present legislative session. They would lead to more openness and transparency in our government and greater respect for the talents and abilities of all elected representatives.
We are recommending: move the fixed election date from May to October, starting in 2017; have Elections B.C. oversee party leadership contests; ban corporate and union donations and require political donors to live in B.C.; return to a secret ballot vote for the speaker; improve legislative committees; and allow for more free votes in the legislature.
Democratic reform seems far removed from the top issues for most voters, which include the economy, health care, the environment and poverty/homelessness. But there is actually an important link; a government that works effectively is more able to deal with our society's other pressing concerns.
Consider for example the connection between the timing of the election and the provincial economy.
Currently in an election year the government introduces a budget but it doesn't get scrutinized or approved by legislators before we go to the polls. A fall election date allows for a better understanding of the province's finances and reduces any temptation to play politics with the budget numbers.
Remember the 2009 election? The government campaigned on a budget with a "maximum" deficit of $495 million. Lo and behold, later that summer the re-elected government introduced a budget with a $2.8 billion deficit (and the HST!).
The ensuing controversy toppled a premier, destroyed the government's credibility and created almost four years of upheaval.
The government recognizes there is a problem; it recently hired an economist to assess the revenue assumptions the budget is built on. The government is also spending $16.6 million of your money to convince you that its budget is credible, an unbelievable amount considering the government wants to present an image of fiscal restraint.
Each of our recommendations is fully discussed in our Democratic Reform Agenda (please visit www. vickihuntington.ca for more details). The Official Opposition is considering some of the reforms; Energy and Mines Minister Rich Coleman summarily dismissed them but Liberal caucus members have been asking how they are supposed to respond. We will be introducing accompanying legislation and motions this session and we have reason for optimism.
In 2009, I was elected on the promise to take your voice to Victoria. It was clear to me even then that the parliamentary system in B.C. is failing democracy and is an impediment to effective representation.
Revitalizing the role of MLAs is critical. And for MLAs to do their job and to represent the people as they elect us to do, our political institutions must change.
The legislature itself must take hold of the democratic reform initiative to make democracy relevant to the modern voter. Each one of our reforms would make our system more accountable. Together, they pave the way to a revitalization of democracy in B.C.
