Share on Facebook

Electoral Boundaries Act Paves Way for New STV Vote

October 24, 2005

VICTORIA – The BC Liberal government is taking an important first step towards a new referendum on the Single Transferable Vote (STV) with the introduction of the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act, Attorney General Wally Oppal said today.

Under Bill 14, the Electoral Boundaries Commission will have two tasks. The commission will determine what electoral boundaries and representation would look like in the province under an STV system. It will also examine electoral boundaries and representation under the current electoral system. The commission is appointed after every second general election to ensure the province’s electoral boundaries accurately reflect population change over time.

“We are meeting our commitment made in this year’s throne speech to ensure that the public receives the best possible information before the referendum on STV in 2008,” said Oppal. “The results of the 2005 referendum show there is great interest in another vote. Establishing the STV constituency boundaries and representation may provide the public with a critical piece of information that was missing at the time of the last referendum. This is an important part of our commitment to ensure the public makes an informed choice.”

There are currently 79 electoral districts in B.C. Bill 14 gives the commission flexibility to recommend up to 85 electoral districts should this be required to protect the representation of northern residents in the Legislature. It allows the commission to recommend up to 85 Members of the Legislative Assembly under STV for the same reason. The commission must recommend that same number of members under both systems.

The Electoral Boundaries Commission is an independent commission reporting to the Legislature. The three members will be appointed by Nov. 30, 2005. Members must include a judge or a retired judge of the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeal, the Chief Electoral Officer appointed under the Election Act, and a third member recommended by the Speaker of the House in consultation with the Premier and Leader of the Official Opposition.

The commission will seek community input through a provincewide consultation before developing its recommendations. An initial report will be submitted to the Speaker by Aug. 15, 2007 and the final report will be submitted by February 2008. This timeline recognizes that the commission has been given two significant tasks, and will also ensure the commission has access to up-to-date population data that will be generated by the next federal census in 2006.

Throne Speech Focuses on British Columbia's Future
The second session of the 39th Parliament of British Columbia was launched with a speech from the throne that emphasized the steps government will take to propel British Columbia's Olympic momentum to create jobs, improve the environment and support families with children.
Throne Speech Focuses on Strengthening British Columbia
The 39th Parliament of British Columbia has been launched with a speech from the throne that emphasized steps the government will take to strengthen the economy to create jobs, improve and protect vital services and manage taxpayer dollars prudently to avoid burdening future generations with unaffordable debt.
Premier Campbell Appoints New Cabinet to Keep BC Strong
Premier Gordon Campbell has appointed a new cabinet to build a strong economic future, capitalize on hosting the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and seize emerging global opportunities as Canada’s Pacific Gateway.
Creating Jobs, Stability & Confidence for B.C. Families
Building British Columbia’s economic strength to create jobs, stability and confidence for families and capitalize on the opportunities of the new world economy was the focus of the speech from the throne that launched the fifth session of the 38th parliament today.
Premier Realigns Cabinet to Meet Economic Challenges
Premier Gordon Campbell has announced the appointment of Blair Lekstrom as Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources and the appointment of Kevin Krueger as the new Minister of Community Development.
Budget Consultations Asks What Choices You Would Make
British Columbians will be asked about the choices they would make for the next provincial budget with the release of the 2008 Budget Consultation Paper.
Premier Campbell Announces Cabinet Changes
Premier Gordon Campbell has realigned the provincial cabinet to provide more integrated services across government. The changes include five new ministers and new portfolios for seven of the current ministers.
Throne Speech Lays Groundwork for Next Generations
The speech from the throne that lays out new measures to create safe, secure communities, build excellence in education, further strengthen the New Relationship with First Nations, and combat climate change.
New Legal Tools to Protect Rural Representation
The Province will provide new legal tools to the British Columbia Electoral Boundaries Commission to protect the number of electoral districts in rural British Columbia while ensuring fair representation in growing regions of the province.
Throne Speech Launches B.C. into Pacific Century
The third session of the 38th parliament has launched with a speech from the throne that calls for bold action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create better choices for students and patients, and a plan to reduce homelessness.
Negotiators Enter Final Week Before June 30 Deadline
A total of 123 labour agreements have been reached this year and 14 tables remain as negotiators enter the last five days of bargaining before the June 30 deadline for incentive payments.
A Year of Progress for British Columbia
One year after re-electing a BC Liberal Government, British Columbians are seeing the benefits of real leadership and a strong vision for the future of the province.
100% of Public Sector Contracts Signed Before Deadline
British Columbians can be proud of the tremendous effort that public sector employees and employers put into compensation talks following the successful negotiation of 100 per cent of agreements which expired on or before March 31.
Throne Speech Calls for Major Initiatives in Health Care and Education
The second session of the 38th parliament was launched today with a speech from the throne that calls for major initiatives to transform health, education and other services so they are sustainable and available for future generations.
BC Liberal Government Sets New Negotiating Framework
A new negotiating framework, supported by a $5.7-billion multi-year funding envelope, will guide public sector compensation agreements through 2009/10, announced Finance Minister Carole Taylor.
Electoral Boundaries Act Paves Way for New STV Vote
The BC Liberal government is taking an important first step towards a new referendum on the Single Transferable Vote (STV) with the introduction of the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act.
Bold New Initiatives Outlined in Speech from the Throne
With today’s throne speech launching the 38th Parliament, Premier Gordon Campbell said the provincial government is moving ahead with bold new initiatives aimed at improving B.C.’s political process and ending the inequities facing Aboriginal people.
Premier Campbell Appoints New Cabinet for British Columbia
Premier Gordon Campbell began his second term as British Columbia’s Premier by appointing a 23-member Cabinet.
The Golden Decade Ahead - Highlights from the Speech from the Throne
The BC Liberal Government has outlined five great goals for B.C.’s



Authorized By Jim Pipe, Financial Agent BC Liberal Party.
Tel: 604.606.6000, 1.800.567.2257