Ward Stamer

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)