OPINION Pro rep trims power of premier

IAl Etmanski

’m in favour of proportional representation because it will give cabinet ministers responsible for the social ministries more power. This reason may come as a surprise to you. But no more a surprise than my discovery of how little power those cabinet ministers actually have and how much power is concentrated in the premier’s office, particularly by the unelected officials who work there.

Proportional representation will allow cabinet ministers to use their considerable skills to build a coalition of interest among MLAS from their own caucus as well as from other parties—and counteract the tendency of the premier’s office to look at what’s good for the party instead of what’s good for the province.

I’ve spent the past four decades going back and forth to Victoria as an advocate for people with disabilities and their families. I’ve seen governments come and go. I’ve met politicians on all sides of the legislature. For the most part, I’ve been impressed by the cabinet ministers I’ve dealt with.

They come into politics with high ideals and a desire to make things better for those pushed aside, ignored, or vulnerable. They work hard to learn the political ropes, to fulfill their ministerial responsibilities and to understand the root causes of the challenges they have been mandated to address. They want to do more than deal with the symptoms. Time after time, I’ve seen their well-thought-out and practical solutions nixed by staff in the premier’s office.

It’s hard enough being a cabinet minister responsible for a social portfolio. Your statutory responsibilities are extensive: for example, child protection and income assistance. This, naturally, demands most