Young people support Pro Rep

The people of BC have spoken. 42.6 per cent of eligible voters returned mail-in ballots and the results are clear. Now may not be the time for proportional representation, but it was also clear that their is a hunger for change in our system.

As Quebec embarks on changing to a system of proportional representation this spring and Prince Edward Island holds another referendum, I hope that the benefits of a fairer system become clear to British Columbians. We saw strong support for Pro Rep among young voters which makes me confident that we will see our voting system modernize in the future.

Our government promised to put the decisions to British Columbians and they kept that promise. The road to electoral reform will be slower than hoped. For now, we can rest assured that the big money corporate and union donations have been banned.

Our system is more fair than it was two years ago. I am buoyed by the energy and commitment of the grass-roots volunteers who rallied around an opportunity to make our system more inclusive and representative. Our work continues. Let’s put our heads down and continue now to fight for a Clean BC to fight climate change and deliver jobs for the future.

Let’s keep the fight for affordable housing, childcare and access to the health care we need. We won’t have proportional representation to temper our divisive politics, but we can hold our politicians to higher standards.

Let’s co-operate. Let’s get to work. Let’s move on and do the hard work of making B.C. better for everyone.