Norm Macdonald MLA                                Columbia River – Revelstoke

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release

November 9th, 2007

Liberal interference in electoral boundaries will dilute rural representation

The Campbell government claims that Bill 39 (Electoral Boundary Commission Amendment Act, 2007) is needed to protect rural representation but Rural Caucus Chair Norm Macdonald says that is not true.

“Campbell wants you to believe that he cares about rural British Columbia,” said the MLA from Columbia River – Revelstoke. “He wants you to believe that he is protecting the rural voice.”

Bill 39, while guaranteeing seats in rural areas, in fact, dilutes rural representation by adding a fixed number of seats to urban areas.

“Bill 39 represents an unprecedented level of interference into what is supposed to be an independent process. The truth is that Campbell looked at the map that the Electoral Boundary Commission proposed and he didn’t like it. He didn’t think he could win with the boundaries that were proposed.”

Two years ago, the Legislative Assembly unanimously established guidelines for the work of the Electoral Boundary Commission.

“If the Premier wanted to protect rural ridings he should have ensured that the original legislation included those provisions.

“This is a clear example of an arrogant government that does not care about rural areas, and to try to sell this manipulation as good for rural areas is an absolute farce.”

The Opposition will be bringing forward an amendment to Bill 39 that will truly ensure that rural areas are protected.

“If the Legislature works the way it is supposed to, all MLAs who care about rural British Columbians will vote in support of our amendment.”