Three MLAs call the shots in legislature

No one wants to talk about the cost of electoral reform, but it will be expensive.

I have worked many elections, and it will cost millions to change the electoral system to something different. It will cost tens of millions to fund more MLAs, their salaries, travel allowances, offices, staff and goldplated pension plan.

Meanwhile, B.C. needs funding to help with affordable housing, homelessness, the opioid crisis, shortage of doctors and needed infrastructure upgrades. There are much better ways to spend our tax dollars.

Proportional-representation advocates claim that it will force parties to form coalitions, to “get along.” Ironically, we are experiencing that now in B.C., with the NDP having to form an alliance with the Green Party to stay in power.

We have a party of three members calling the shots. I don’t call that democracy. Some might call it a coalition, but it is really tantamount to blackmail: “Do as my small minority group wants or we won’t support you.” This is definitely not democracy.

Our tax dollars should be used to solve existing problems. The low voter participation in this referendum is evidence that it is not as important as the real issues. I encourage people to vote No to changing our electoral system at this time. Suzanne Anderson Duncan