Shoni Field from the British Columbians for BC-STV organisation discusses STV, why she’s for it, and what it was like being on the Citizen’s Assembly, with Joseph Planta.

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

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.

Weblinks:

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

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