Ballots start going out to households this week asking whether B.C. should switch from the current first-past-the-post election system to a system of proportional representation. The second question asks voters to rank three systems of proportional representation. Photo Dan Toulgoet
Premier John Horgan and Opposition Leader Andrew Wilkinson have set a date to debate the merits of electoral reform.
The two leaders will take part in a 30-minute debate to be televised on Global BC and broadcast on CKNW radio on Nov. 8, at 7 p.m.
A mail-in referendum is already underway in British Columbia, with ballots mailed to eligible voters asking them to decide on proportional representation or the current first-past-the-post system.
Ballots can be returned by mail or dropped off at several locations around the province, but must be received by Nov. 30, with results expected sometime in December.
The B.C. New Democratic Party says on its website that proportional representation is "used by democracies around the world, provides more choice for voters, more accountability, and more collaboration between parties."
Wilkinson says in a news release that the referendum is "a stacked deck in a rigged game," and he accuses the New Democrats of manipulating basic constitutional rights to change B.C.'s voting system.
The debate will be moderated by CKNW talk show host Lynda Steele and CBC morning show host Stephen Quinn.
