Only 37 per cent of Ontarians (Voters Roundly Reject MMP - Oct. 11) voted in favour of the proposed Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) electoral system. By comparison, in 2005, 58 per cent of British Columbians voted in favour of changing the electoral system to the Single Transferable Vote (STV). Both referendums required 60 per cent support to pass.
MMP is a compromise that would bring many of the weaknesses of proportional representation, while offering few of the benefits that are important to voters. The B.C. Citizens Assembly recognized this and opted to recommend a system that would serve the electorate, rather than the politicians.
In 2009, B.C. voters will get another chance to vote for BC-STV.