Editor:
I know that Bill Tieleman is the founder and director of the No BC Pro Rep campaign. I want to be clear that I am totally in support of everyone having a voice in this referendum. I am, however, not in favour of mispresentation of the truth. On Bill Tieleman’s NOPRBC website, which looks like something out of the Republican handbook, one banner that flashes before the eyes says: “Time to Say Farewell to your Local MLA.” This is totally false. Under proportional representation no riding will lose an MLA – in fact there could be up to eight additional MLAs province-wide to represent voters. All ridings including rural will have at least one MLA as they do now. No region will lose a representative. Another banner states: “MLAs are awarded not voted in.” This is also false. Depending on which system is chosen, all ridings will have an elected MLA and some an additional regional MLA based on the proportionality of the votes. Candidates on so-called party lists will be nominated just like candidates in elections have been for years and the public will know who they are. Another banner states that PR is the perfect platform for extremists. Has anyone heard of Doug Ford or looked south of the border lately?
I find it troubling that a smart individual such as Tieleman would stoop to such levels, and even more troubling that his group is receiving $500,000 in taxpayers’ money to spread such misinformation.
Bette Chadwick, Sechelt
