As Premier Christy Clark abandons the legislature to tour BC this fall the province’s two independant MLA’s are also going to the people.
Delta South independant Vicki Huntington will join Bob Simpson for a Twitter town hall tomorrow on democratic reform.
Huntington agrees with Clark, the legislature is unhealthy, when it comes to allowing MLA’s to represent their constituents.
“The level of ability for an MLA to contribute effectively in the Legislative Assembly is very limited and it needs to change MLA’s have to be able to effectively represent their people otherwise there is an incredible frustration among the public that their voice cannot be heard.”
Huntington blames the party system with MLA’s marching to the leaders orders.
“The party system requires the MLA to fall in line with cabinet policy and the policy of their leader there is no opportunity for an MLA belonging to a party to publically represent the people of their riding if that means they have to criticize their own party publically.”
Huntington says elected officials can sit on legislative committees and push for change but many never meet.
“Crown Corporations hasn’t met in years, Environment committee hasn’t met in years, Energy committee hasn’t met in years. How do MLAs become involved in any of the serious public issues with any hope of influencing decision making.”
The townhall gets going at noon Thursday with the hashtag #bcdemreform
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