An Okanagan MLA is drawing a connection between a new provincial political party geared to rural voters being unveiled last week and the pending referendum on proportional representation.

Norm Letnick, Liberal MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country, says while he welcomes the new Rural B.C. Party into the political fray, he questions what another party brings to the debate that the more than 20 existing political entities donB次元官网网址檛 already cover.

B次元官网网址淚 think if proportional representation passes, you will see many more parties like this start up and we believe that is going to reduce local representation for constituents. You wonB次元官网网址檛 be electing an MLA, but rather one will be appointed for your area,B次元官网网址� Letnick said.

B次元官网网址淐ompared to current first to the post system, that reduces the current level of accountability. Depending on what form of proportional representation might potentially be adopted, you end up with an MLA you didnB次元官网网址檛 even vote for by a majority in your area.B次元官网网址�

Letnick said while he waits to see the B.C. Rural PartyB次元官网网址檚 policy platform outlined in greater detail, he noted that both the partyB次元官网网址檚 leader, Houston municipal councillor Jonathan Van Barneveld, and executive core team member Telkwa Mayor Darcy Repen, currently on medical leave from his civic duties, have provincial NDP connections.

Letnick pointed out Van Barneveld is a past president of the NDP provincial youth wing of the party, while Regen was an active supporter of Premier John HorganB次元官网网址檚 election campaign.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 not sure what that says, but if they are disgruntled with the NDP, I would encourage them to join the Liberals,B次元官网网址� Letnick said.

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The B.C. Rural Party advocates for greater economic diversification opportunities for smaller rural communities in B.C. and reduce a reliance on mounting infrastructure debts.

The party gained official electoral status in February and hopes to field candidates in 23 ridings including Vernon-Monashee and Boundary-Similkameen within the Okanagan in the next provincial election. All their candidates would run in constituencies outside the Lower Mainland and Greater Victoria regions.

Letnick doesnB次元官网网址檛 see rural B.C. taxpayers losing out to the interests of the higher populated areas of B.C. because their MLAs must strive to bring economic and cultural benefits to their constituencies.

B次元官网网址淚f they donB次元官网网址檛 do that, voters have the opportunity to give the job to someone else. When you are elected, you are the representative for all constituents in your riding, not just the people who voted for you.B次元官网网址�

Enderby Mayor Greg McCune said heB次元官网网址檚 not sure how the B.C. Rural Party would benefit his community.

B次元官网网址淚 have not really heard much about them,B次元官网网址� said McCune, contacted at this weekB次元官网网址檚 Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Whistler.

B次元官网网址淵ou can analyze the urban-rural split to death, but key for me is that our provincial representation is from our area and not someone appointed from another area who we donB次元官网网址檛 know.B次元官网网址�

Like Letnick, he too made the connection of a new party as perhaps a sign of things to come should the proportional representation referendum pass.

B次元官网网址淚 think when it comes to taxpayer dollars being spent, a lot of the taxes they pay in the Lower Mainland end up contributing to transportation and other infrastructure projects that benefit our rural communities, so there is a give and take there in where the influence lies.B次元官网网址�

Get ready for B.C. electoral reform referendum

Elections BC is encouraging eligible voters to get ready for the 2018 referendum on electoral reform by registering to vote or updating their voter information.

B次元官网网址淚f your voter information is current, you will get a referendum voting package in the mail this fall,B次元官网网址� said Anton Boegman, BC Chief Electoral Officer.

Voters can register or update their voter information online at or by calling 1-800-661-8683 on Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Between now and the end of September, a Referendum Information Card will be mailed to every household in the province to raise awareness of the referendum. Referendum voting packages will be distributed between Oct. 22 and Nov. 2.

For more information, visit .

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