Michael Mackenzie

From free buses and the return of rail, to a floating night market and an attack on democracy, VIU students spent a semester simulating the future of the city, taking Nanaimo all the way to 2086. In a political studies course under professor Michael MacKenzie students participated in mock elections, with winners seeking to implement their policy ideas in an AI powered simulation.  The students were divided into 3 different worlds and each presented their results in a fair Thursday April 9th at VIU. Midcoast Morning attended and spoke with MacKenzie and various students about Nanaimo’s potential future. Support Midcoast Morning and our Nonprofit Newsroom with a monthly sustaining donation of $5 to $10 a month. Podcast Photo: Michael Mackenzie and VIU Political Science students (Joe Pugh/CHLY 101.7FM)

A body tasked with improving our democracy has made dozens of recommendations to the government of BC. The special committee on democratic and electoral reform has put out its first report, after receiving close to a thousand submissions from British Columbians over the summer months. The committee is made up of MLAs from across party lines, and has a two part mandate. This report is all about the first part of that mandate, which is to examine and make recommendations related to democratic engagement and voter participation, and models for electing MLAs. The report calls on the provincial government to consider creating a people’s assembly that would make recommendations about electoral reform and also looks at ways to improve civic education and voter turnout, and how to address misinformation. VIU professor Michael Mackenzie spoke with Midcoast Morning to offer his views on the recommendations. The program also spoke with the chair and vice chair of the committee, MLAs Jennifer Blatherwick and Ward Stamer. Support Midcoast Morning and our Nonprofit Newsroom with a monthly sustaining donation of $5 to $10 a month. Podcast Photo: Legislature Dome (Hossein Soltanloo)