Islanders deserve another plebiscite
Such a small number as in last plebiscite doesn’t represent the majority of Islanders
I am concerned about the next election here on P.E.I., after seeing what has happened in N.S. and B.C. I believe that if the next election is held without putting to rest what type of election system Islanders will have, to choose who will run this province, it will be a mistake.
On P.E.I. we have over 102,000 voters. In the last election on P.E.I. there was an 85 per cent turn out. In the plebiscite that was held, there was a disappointing 35 per cent turnout. The decision to change the way we have elected our legislators was determined by 19 per cent or 19,000 voters, a pretty low number, considering there are 102,000 voters.
I said after that vote, that such a small number doesn’t represent the majority of Islanders and I still believe that. I know that the winning side in the plebiscite felt betrayed and angry when the Premier said that it wasn’t a true representation of Islanders’ views, and he wouldn’t accept the results.
I believe that another plebiscite should be held before the next election. I believe that if there was another vote held, that the turnout would be much higher and meaningful. I believe that the same questions should be put on the ballot.
If there is another chance to vote, I would suggest that several ideas to consider as to how to do it.
First of all there would be no government participation in any way in the process, all the elected political parties on P.E.I. have to accept the results, there will no government funding in this vote. The next election on P.E.I. will be determined by the successful side.
The cost of this election would be that of Election P.E.I. The different sides of the question will be responsible for their own finances. It will be entirely possible to have this plebiscite before the next election. I believe that Islanders take their politics seriously as we have one of the highest turnout in the country.
The fate of our future in government shouldn’t be determined by one person or small group of people. I believe that if the vote were to take place before the next election and the results are accepted, the turnout in the 2019 election will be the highest in the country. So Mr. Premier and government members, do the right thing and have another plebiscite before the next election. Islanders deserve it.