Bryce Asks:
British Columbians are actually heading to two polls this year, municipal and we also have the mail-in referendum on Proportional Representation.
What's your position on Proportional Representation and why? Should Kamloops also consider some sort of electoral reform for municipal to ensure each area/neighbourhood of Kamloops gets equitable representation on council? Perhaps even lowering the municipal voting age to 16 to get youth more engage.
My vote for proportional rep is personal and I choose not to share how I will vote. I will share that I have had 3 presentations on this subject, 2 with both sides represented. I have looked into the 3 options of proportional system. I like the MMP system option the best.
I do not support a ward system for Kamloops. I have lived in cities where the ward system is in place for municipal government and I find that the problem is it pits neighbourhoods against each other, plus it invites a party system that also is destructive. I will represent ALL of Kamloops equally when I am elected because we are all equal. All of city Council needs to represent all neighbourhoods of Kamloops and we need to work together.
Given the age of consent to medical treatment in BC is 12, 16 years old is not unreasonable to include in decision making like a municipal election. I have attended 2 high school election forums in Kamloops over the past few weeks. The depth of questions and the level of engagement that these young people have shown at these events is probably more researched and thoughtful than many of the adult ones I have seen or heard.
Thank you for the question. Please get out the vote on October 20th.