More MLAs dilute rural voice, says NDP

By CAROLYN GRANT, Kimberley Daily Bulletin

While Columbia River - Revelstoke MLA was not entirely on board with the recommendations of the Electoral Boundary Commission -- which would have reduced East Kootenay ridings to three from four and made Macdonald's own riding extend all the way to Sparwwod -- he is equally dismayed by what the provincial government is proposing instead.

Premier Gordon Campbell is proposing that eight additional MLAs be added to the Legislature, something Macdonald and the NDP believe will weaken rural representation even further.

"These new MLA's are all in urban areas," Macdonald said. "In the end, that dilutes rural representation.

"The premise is that this is the Premier being concerned about rural areas. Certainly, people in Kimberley know that he isn't concerned. He basically looked at the map and didn't like it."

"Nobody called for eight new MLAs during the commission's public hearings last fall," said Surrey Whaley MLA Bruce Ralston after debate began on the government's controversial Bill 39.

"The effect of this legislation will be to dilute rural representation and at the same time force taxpayers to pay at least $4 million per year for eight new MLAs," said Ralston. "It is unprecendented political interference into the process of drawing electoral boundaries."

NDP rural critic Robin Austin said the last thing rural BC needs is a weaker voice in the legislature.

"It's simple arithmetic. If rural British Columbians feel left out now wait until urban areas get another eight MLAs under Gordon Campbell's plan," said Austin.

Aside from the new MLAs all being asigned in urban areas, Macdonald is also uncomfortable with the government interfering in an independent commission's findings.

"It is an indpendent commission," he said. "I drove to Cranbrook and spoke to the commission when it held a public hearing there. I talked about the difficulty in serving a large geographical area. The BC Liberals did not even bother to attend. In Cranbrook, Bill Bennett did not go.

"We respected the process that was laid out. There are problems with interfering with that process."

Macdonald says that the NDP will introduce an amendment to the government's bill when the Legislature reconvenes later this month. He says the amendment will keep seats in the north and the Kootenays but also keep the independence of the commission. He says the amendment will allow an addition of up to 85 from the current 79 but leave it to the discretion of the commission. He says it's important to keep the commissions independent or it loses credibility.

"As soon as you establish the idea that it's okay to do something, then the process loses," Macdonald said. "With the setting of the boundaries all politicians want something. I wanted my riding to stay exactly the same. But that's not always in the public's best interest. That's why you have a carefully selected and independent commission."

Macdonald says that while the NDP will table its ammendment, it is unlikely to pass. If the government's bill passes, the eight new MLAs will be in place for the next election.

"All the commissioner's work will be wasted and there will be a very tight timeline to get this all in place before the May 2009 election," he said. "It's very sloppy work and has much more to do with the Premier trying to dictate something he liked better."