BRITISH COLUMBIA ELECTION – LIBERALS 46 – NDP 33
The political landscape of British Columbia has been reshaped. Voters showed they were willing to put their trust in Premier Gordon Campbell and the Liberals again but they also voted in a large number of the NDP to act as watchdogs. The Liberals who won 77 of the 79 seats in the previous election were reduced to 46 seats, still giving them a majority government. The NDP ended up with 33 seats while the Green party did not manage to pick up any seats at all. The NDP representation previously was only two MLA’s until they picked up a third seat in a by-election in 2004, so gaining an additional 30 seats was a major victory for them.
Premier Gordon Campbell easily won his riding and as a result becomes the first premier in 22 years to be voted in for a second term of office.
The NDP picked up their gains in the urban areas of the lower mainland and on Vancouver Island but made little inroads in the rural areas.
There could still be some changes as some of the ridings were closely contested, with only a few votes difference between candidates. Recounts will be going ahead in those ridings. The absentee votes which are not counted until May 30th could affect the outcome in some of the ridings as well.
REFERENDUM ON ELECTION REFORM IN BC NARROWLY MISSES
In conjunction with the provincial elections a referendum was held to determine if the voters of BC should change to the BC-STV (single transferable vote) electoral system as recommended by the Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform. The referendum failed as it did not quite reach the 60% level needed to impose it. The proposal received 57.4% in favour overall, passing with over 50% in all but two ridings.
In September 2002, the government of BC appointed Gordon Gibson to advise on the mandate and make up of a citizens’ assembly to study electoral reform. This led to the creation of the Citizens’ Assembly in April of 2003. The members were chosen randomly from the province’s 79 electoral districts. One man and one woman were chosen from each district as well as from the aboriginal community. What this assembly finally came up with was the BC-STV (Single Transferable Vote) system that was put before the voters of British Columbia.
The system is based on proportional representation, with multi-member districts so that the share of seats in the legislature can reflect the votes cast. Therefore districts would be amalgamated but the number of MLA’s in the legislature would not necessarily change. The main feature of this system is that rather than marking the ballot for one candidate only, the voter would mark the ballet for the number of candidates from most favourite to least favourite. It allows voters to choose between candidates and parties. If a voter’s favourite candidate is not elected or has more votes than needed to be elected, the vote is “moved” to the voter’s next most favourite candidate and so forth. This would allow independent candidates a real chance to be elected.
Under the BC-STV system the governments formed would most likely be minority governments or a coalition of two or more parties. This would mean parties would need to be more responsive to the voters and less adversarial with their opponents.
Premier Gordon Campbell stated that the strong interest for electoral reform should be examined by the legislature. NDP Leader Carole James voted against the STV proposal because she thought it was unfair to large rural ridings but she stated that she favours mixed-member proportional representation and would push Premier Campbell to bring forward another option.
Under the present “first past the post” system the biggest loser was the Green Party. It received about 9% of the popular vote but did not get any seat. If the STV system had been in effect it would have had a chance at about seven seats.
STUDENT GOOD CITIZENSHIP AWARD – VANNA LYMBEROPOULOS
Vanna Lymberopoulos, second from left, accepting her “Good Citizenship” award at Vancouver city hall.
The Greater Vancouver Citizenship Council honoured eighteen students of Vancouver Secondary Schools at its 52nd annual Student Good Citizenship Awards ceremony held at Vancouver City Hall on Wednesday, April 27th. One of those recipients was Vanna Lymperopoulos from Prince of Wales Secondary.
Vanna Lymberoupoulos, center front-white shirt with her fellow “Good Citizen” recipients and presenters at Vancouver City hall.
The Canadian Citizenship movement was founded in the early years of World War II to promote the integration of immigrants into Canadian society and to assist them in becoming good citizens. In 1953 Theresa Galloway, a member of the Vancouver Citizenship Council proposed that the organization should honour one student from each of Vancouver’s Secondary Schools who exemplify good citizenship. A special ceremony has been held at City Hall annually since then to honour those students who exemplify the Council’s goals of promoting mutual esteem and respect among Canadians of diverse backgrounds; the development of educational, recreational and other services to further an understanding and appreciation of the privileges and responsibilities of Canadian Citizenship; provide informed, responsible assistance towards the continued growth of good citizenship among all Canadians.
Vanna Lymberopoulos with her parents George & Fotini Lymberopoulos to her left, an RCMP officer, her cousin Viki Lymberopoulos and godparents Maria and Achilles Michoulas to her right.
Vanna Lymberopoulos, as Financial Officer for Student Council at Prince of Wales Secondary plans the events and activities budget. She has made countless contributions of time and effort to enrich the daily life at Prince of Wales. Vanna quietly comes to the assistance of anyone who could use a helping hand. She is a member of the leadership class and as such has made an outstanding contribution to the school. She is an accomplished gymnast who volunteers her time as a children’s coach and scorer. She is also actively involved in her church. Her leadership, service and dedication make her a respected role model for her peers.
