I am a life-long supporter of the NDP and a strong supporter of proportional representation. Years ago, under Joy McPhail’s provincial leadership I participated in discussions about the details of proportional representation adopted at that time by the BC NDP. The federal NDP too, years ago adopted a policy of implementing proportional representation.
I was surprised to hear at the Nelson all-candidates meeting that Green Party candidate Bill Green appeared to be confused about the New Democrat’s commitment to proportional representation. On my return from a recent trip to Vancouver it appears to me that some confusion about this issue remains.
I respect the right of supporters of the Green Party to proudly vote for their party and their candidate. I would be disappointed however, if any voter were discouraged from casting a ballot for the NDP in this crucial election, because of a misunderstanding about Tom Mulcair’s or the NDP’s commitment to proportional representation.
Tom Mulcair’s 72-page plan titled Building the Country of Our Dreams commits to “Ensuring everyone’s vote matters by bringing in proportional representation for elections.”
The plan elaborates that the NDP will “Make your vote truly count by bringing in a system of mixed-member proportional representation that is appropriate for Canada in our first mandate.”
New Democrats like me are committed to, and are fully supportive of Tom Mulcair implementing — in his first mandate — a system of mixed-member proportional representation.
Klaus Offermann
Nelson