Big business, political elites used the same playbook against Pro Rep in 1992 By Kate Williamson, guest writer I’m a New Zealander living in Vancouver, and I’ve been watching the anti-Pro Rep campaign in B.C. with intense and unenjoyable deja vu. Before I explain that, some history: New Zealand, like B.C., used to vote […]
And what exactly are they so worried about? “A proportional representation system will elect neo-nazis and right-wing extremists.” “This system is too confusing for regular people to understand.” “Under Pro Rep, rural communities will have no representation.” There is a lot of misinformation about Pro Rep flying around right now. (We’ve debunked these myths […]
Radical right-wing extremists are elected under first-past-the-post. Huh. You’ve probably heard this: proportional representation will elect more far-right extremists, white supremacists, sexists and general bad guys. It’s the No-to-pro-rep side’s favourite (only?) argument. They cite recent examples of Poland, Hungary and Austria to prove their claims. Part of this is true. Poland, Hungary and Austria […]
There is one simple way to make politics better: elect more women. Look at these people: To me, with the exception of Christy Clark, B.C.’s former premiers all look the same. None of them look like me — they don’t reflect more than half of B.C.’s population. Not enough has changed since the “founding fathers.” […]
Minister’s favour to family member raises questions about lucrative DFO contract Justin Trudeau’s greatest feat to date may be his rehabilitation of the Liberal Party brand. Gone is the grubby clique of old-money frat boys, robbing the Canadian taxpayer to line the pockets of their friends and political donors. Hello, hope and change. But the […]
Trudeau’s broken promises loom large in federal court decision Last month’s Federal Court of Appeal ruling dealt a crushing blow to the Trans Mountain pipeline and tanker expansion. The decision was a huge victory for the First Nations — in particular, the Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish, Sto:lo (Aitchelitz, Skowkale Shxwa:y Village, Soowahlie, Squiala, Tzeachten, Yakweakwioose, Skwah, Kwaw-Kwaw-Aplit […]
Why lying politicians love first-past-the-post Court rulings have a funny way of cutting through political talking points. Last week the Federal Court of Appeal made it clear: Justin Trudeau was bullshitting all along. His government did not honourably or adequately consult B.C. First Nations, and it approved a major oil tanker project without considering the […]
Thousands cheer online for activists to be murdered. How long before someone takes it literally? “Next time just cut the cables,” wrote 67-year old John Les on Facebook. He was reacting to a CBC News video of police arresting Greenpeace activists dangling from the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge. It’s tempting to dismiss Les as an old […]
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