B.C. Liberals Stack Local Government Election Task Force
VICTORIA – A task force investigating changes to local government elections should be non-partisan, but the B.C. Liberals are only allowing government MLAs to participate, say the New Democrats.
Scott Fraser
The task force, to be unveiled Friday, includes two UBCM representatives and two B.C. Liberal MLAs, but no members of the Official opposition.
“Local elections are too important to be handled in a partisan manner,” said Scott Fraser , New Democrat critic for community development.
“We’ve already heard concerns that B.C. Liberals were getting involved in local government elections last year,” said Fraser. “Complaints were lodged with the RCMP about two cabinet ministers getting involved in the City of Langley’s election.
“The partisan nature of this task force raises more questions,” said Fraser.
Following the 2008 municipal elections, B.C. Liberal MLAs Rich Coleman and Mary Polak were investigated – although not charged – by the RCMP.
Fraser noted that political interference is part of the reason the act is in shambles and a partisan committee investigating changes only magnifies the problem.
“One of the fundamental principles of Canadian democracy is that the rules governing elections should be overseen by non-partisan bodies, like Elections B.C. and Elections Canada,” said Fraser.
“As soon as you have one party directing changes unilaterally, you inevitably raise concerns that the rules are being written to benefit that party. It’s not too late for the minister to reconsider and make the committee non-partisan.”
Carole James and the New Democrats have been holding the B.C. Liberals accountable for breaking their word on the HST, and for backtracking on their election promises to protect health care, education, and other vital services.
