Around the world, frustration with the limitations of "first past the post" voting systems are leading to change. In 1993, following a four-year campaign, New Zealand abandoned the British system after people voted to adopt proportional representation in a binding referendum. Elections for the Welsh, Scottish and Northern Ireland Assemblies and for the European Parliament are also held proportionally.

Here in BC, a non-partisan organization, "Fair Vote BC", has been pushing for change for several years. The Liberal government has promised that it will set up a Citizens Assembly to look at electoral reform before 2005 and the Provincial NDP has declared that it will campaign vigorously in favour of a Mixed Member Proportional system. In the meantime, Adriane Carr, leader of the Green Party of BC, has launched a province-wide "Initiative to Establish a Proportional Representation Electoral System", using BC's Recall and Initiative Act. The campaign needs to gather support from 10% of the registered electorate in every riding over a 90-day period, from May 13th to August 12th. If it succeeds, the government must respond by tabling the bill in the Legislature or taking it to a province-wide vote.

Canvasser for Vancouver-Kensington - Gail Hourigan

Website for Fair Vote BC is http://www.fairvotingbc.com/

URL: http://www.vcn.bc.ca/grsvk/prorep.html