I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

I’m pleased to have David Berner on again. He’s been on before, and it’s always been a delight to talk to him. I’ve talked about what a fan I’ve been of his program over the years. I read this week that he is discontinuing his very fine blog at http://thebernermonologues.blogspot.com. For more information on the broadcaster, lecturer, therapist and addictions expert, visit his website: http://www.davidberner.com. We’ll discuss the current provincial election and referendum campaign, and more. He is also the community liaison at Langara College. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, David Berner; Good morning, Mr. Berner.

David Berner website: http://www.davidberner.com

David Berner blog: http://thebernermonologues.blogspot.com

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

We visit again with an old friend of the program, John Twigg. A long time observer of politics in this province and elsewhere, he was press secretary to former premier Dave Barrett. He’s been on the program numerous times the past, but it’s been nearly four years since he was last on. We will discuss the current provincial election and referendum campaign and more. His website is http://www.johntwigg.com. In Campbell River this day, please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, John Twigg; Good morning, Mr. Twigg.

John Twigg website: http://www.johntwigg.com

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

I’m joined now, once again by Bill Tieleman. The political commentator is a columnist in the 24 Hours paper each and every Tuesday. He is also heard Mondays on CKNW at 10.00 AM. He’s also president of the NO BC-STV Campaign Society, and he joins me to discuss the STV proposal and why he’s working to defeat it Tuesday, May 12th. Their website is http://www.nostv.org. He was communications director to former premier Glen Clark. He’s reported and written about the raid on the Legislature, and the BC Rail privatization. He’s much admired for his work in this regard, and really, his tenacity. His blog, where you can read all of his writing, is http://billtieleman.blogspot.com. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Bill Tieleman; Good morning, Mr. Tieleman.

Bill Tieleman blog: http://billtieleman.blogspot.com

NO BC-STV website: http://www.nostv.org

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

We continue looking at the provincial referendum campaign now. For the second time we will be voting on whether to do away with the current electoral system, First-Past-The Post, for a single transferable vote proposal. Joining me now is Bruce Hallsor, a spokesman for the British Columbians for BC-STV organisation. He is past president of Fair Voting BC, and a founding member and former vice president of Fair Vote Canada. He is a lawyer at BC’s oldest firm Crease Harman and Company in Victoria. He is a riding president for the BC Liberal Party and was co-chair of the BC campaign for the federal Conservative Party in 2005-2006. He’ll explain the voting process, and why STV should be implemented. The proposal has a threshold of 60% to pass. The website for more information is http://www.stv.ca. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Bruce Hallsor; Good morning, Mr. Hallsor.

STV website: http://www.stv.ca

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

Gary Mason, a columnist with the Globe and Mail joins me now. We’ll talk about the current provincial election and referendum campaign. He began his career covering Terry Fox for Canadian Press. Then he worked at the Victoria Times-Colonist for a while, before spending nearly 20 years at the Vancouver Sun, culminating as the paper’s popular sports columnist. He joined the Globe and Mail in 2005 as a columnist there. He’s won a couple Jack Webster Awards, and has written a number bestselling books. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Gary Mason; Good morning, Mr. Mason.

Globe and Mail: http://www.globeandmail.com

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

We focus now on the provincial referendum campaign, as we talk to Shoni Field, a spokesperson for the British Columbians for BC-STV organisation. In 2004, before the last provincial election, the Citizens Assembly on Electoral Reform recommended that British Columbians replace the current electoral system with a new one, BC-STV. The referendum gained 57.7% approval, but fell short of the 60% needed for it to be implemented. Because of the close call, the government to its credit opted to put the question back on the ballot this time around, and here we are. The question on the ballot is Which electoral system should British Columbia use to elect members to the provincial Legislative Assembly? The existing electoral system (First-Past-The Post) or the single transferable vote electoral system (BC-STV) proposed by the Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform. Ms. Field joins me now to explain BC-STV, and why we should vote for it on May 12th. She is a communications and fundraising consultant by profession, and an advocate for electorate reform by chance. She was randomly selected to be a member of the BC Citizens’ Assembly, and went on to become co-chair and media spokesperson of their alumni organisation, and a director of Fair Voting BC. The website for more information is http://www.www.stv.ca. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Shoni Field; Good morning, Ms. Field.

BC-STV website: http://www.stv.ca

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

We continue discussing the current provincial election and referendum campaign. In this election and the previous one in 2005, I’ve been pleased to host all of the candidates in the riding I live in, Vancouver Kensington. Last week, Green candidate Doug Warkentin, and NDP candidate Mable Elmore were on the program. Today, I’m joined by the BC Liberal candidate Syrus Lee. The riding covers Main Street from 16th to 49th avenues, Kingsway south from Fraser to Nanaimo Street.

Syrus Lee is a realtor, radio host, and community volunteer. He has been a member of various organisations, and chaired among other organisations, the Chinatown Business Improvement Society and the Chinatown Lions Club. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line, Syrus Lee; Good morning, Mr. Lee.

Syrus Lee website: http://www.syruslee.ca

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

As we continue looking at the provincial election and referendum campaign here in British Columbia, we talk now to Christopher Bennett. He is a former leader of the BC Green Party. He was succeeded by Jane Sterk, and has since become a member of the BC Liberal Party. We’ll discuss his move, and get his thoughts on the campaign thus far. Christopher Bennett is a public relations and media director. He also writes political speeches. His website is http://thecbennettblog.blogspot.com. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Christopher Bennett; Good morning, Mr. Bennett.

Christopher Bennett blog: http://thecbennettblog.blogspot.com

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

We continue looking at the BC election and referendum campaigns by focussing locally on my own riding of Vancouver Kensington. There are three candidates running. Earlier this week, I spoke with the Green candidate Doug Warkentin. And perhaps early next week, we will be talking with the BC Liberal candidate, Syrus Lee. Right now though, I’m joined by Mable Elmore, the NDP candidate in the riding that covers Main Street from 16th to 49th avenues, Kingsway south from Fraser to Nanaimo street.

Mable Elmore is a long-time union and community activist, who has worked as a transit operator for ten years. She is also a second-generation Filipino-Canadian who has been active in the peace movement community, as well as in immigrant, social justice, women’s and gay, lesbian and transgendered issues. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Mable Elmore; Good morning, Ms. Elmore.

Mable Elmore website: http://www.mableelmore.bcndp.ca

I am Planta: On the Line. This is THECOMMENTARY.CA.

David Schreck is a well-known commentator on political affairs here in British Columbia. He served as a special advisor to NDP premiers in the late 1990s and in 2000 to January 2001. He was also elected an NDP MLA from 1991 to 1996. He is now secretary-treasurer of the NO BC-STV campaign, and is working towards defeating STV on May 12th. We’ll discuss his opposition to STV and the current election campaign from his vantage point. His website is http://www.strategicthoughts.com. You can hear David regularly on CFAX with Mike Geoghegan, Friday mornings. He was one of the very first guests on the program a few years ago, and I’m pleased to welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, David Schreck; Good morning, Mr. Schreck.

Strategic Thoughts: http://www.strategicthoughts.com