Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes said he welcomes members of council taking sides on the current referendum of proportional representation (PR), but he himself not tip his hand where he stands on the issue.
B次元官网网址淭he conversation on PR is an important one, and one which I sincerely hope engages the largest possible interest and engagement of the residents of Saanich, the region and B.C.,B次元官网网址� he said, when asked about Coun. Rebecca Mersereau openly campaigning in favour of the proportional representation. B次元官网网址淚 fully respect [Coun.] MersereauB次元官网网址檚 right to weigh in on any of the issues of the day that she regards as important. As we know, Saanich voters elected nine independent, talented and diverse members to council. I believe it is good to see them working put these attributes to work.B次元官网网址�
Haynes himself though did not say where he stands on the issue.
RELATED:
Mersereau earlier this month urged her voters to vote in favour of proportional representation during the referendum ending on Nov. 30.
Mersereau said in an interview that she supporting proportional representation for three reasons. First, a B次元官网网址渨ealth of evidenceB次元官网网址� shows that it is a more democratic system than the current first-past-post-the-post (FPTP) system, she said.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 also hopeful that it will increase voter turnout by sending the message that every vote counts, even if itB次元官网网址檚 not in favour of the party or person who comes out ahead in the polls,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淎 third reason is that I believe it will help us transition to a more constructive and collaborative political atmosphere due to the need for parties to negotiate and compromise, which would be much more befitting of the importance of our political institutions than the antagonistic and raucous behaviour we often experience currently.B次元官网网址�
RELATED:
This would ultimately open elected office to a much more diverse cross section of candidates, she said.
Mersereau said she has not yet received any personal reactions from her fellow councillors. B次元官网网址淣or have we had time to discuss this campaign,B次元官网网址� she said.B次元官网网址滻n recent weeks, itB次元官网网址檚 been all hands on deck to get up to speed on Saanich affairs.B次元官网网址�
Publicly though, Mersereau has received support from Coun. Nathalie Chambers, as well Coun. Ned Taylor, who fully supports PR. B次元官网网址淭his is an exciting time for our province because we have the opportunity to improve democracy and truly make every vote count,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭ime and time again political parties have received 100 per cent of power with less than 50 per cent of the vote, we can better than that.B次元官网网址�
Other members of council have yet to respond to the for comment, or declined to take a position on the referendum.
B次元官网网址淔or me, I am telling voters to get informed on the issue(s) and vote accordingly,B次元官网网址� said Coun. Judy Brownoff.
Like us on and follow us on
