There is one gift you can give yourself this week leading up to the holiday season — and it’s free.
Give yourself the gift of democracy where you get to vote on what kind of political system you would like to see in B.C — either the current first past the post system or the proposed proportional representation.
The first would keep the status quo where parties gain power if they get the most seats in an election. The second would see parties elected depending on their proportion of the popular vote. In FTPT, its proponents argue, the winning party gets to carry out its mandate unimpeded. In proportional representation, its supporters say, parties sometimes have to work together to form government, but at least the amount of power they get is the amount of power conveyed by voters.
There are other details but it comes down to a decision about what type of democracy you prefer.
We know there are more than a few of you out there who haven’t yet voted. As of early this week, only 28% per cent of Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam folks had voted in the mail-in ballot on proportional rep representation; in Port Moody the vote count was 31%.
That’s not exactly a stellar result but we get it, and we know the excuses. We’ve made a few ourselves.
It goes something like this: There’s not enough time to sort through the packaging and fill out the required ballot; the mail was delayed because of the postal strike and I’m not sure I can get it delivered on time; there are too many other things to worry about; the choices are complicated and the dog ate my ballot.
OK, except for the last excuse, the rest are entirely within your power to deal with. There’s lots of research online, so don’t let the loud noise of arguing politicians dissuade you from casting your ballot.
The vote has been extended until 4:30 p.m. Dec. 7 — that's this Friday — at which time your ballot must be at Elections BC. If you’re worried about the mail, you can drop it off at the election service centre in Coquitlam at Eagle Ridge Plaza, 310-1194 Lansdowne Dr.
Don’t let others decide for you. No excuses, do it now.
