Green Co-Leader Rod Donald heads for Canada on Saturday for a two week speaking tour promoting MMP in British Columbia
(BC).
The "Free your vote" campaign in BC has invited Rod Donald to support their campaign to change from first past the post
to MMP-style proportional representation.
"I am very keen to share New Zealand's MMP success story with the people of British Columbia," said Green MP Rod Donald,
"and I'm confident they will embrace PR following the heavily distorted outcomes of their recent first past the post
elections.
Last year's British Columbia election saw the Liberal Party win 77 out of 79 seats with just 58% of the vote. The
Province's former governing Democratic party won 22% of the vote but just two seats. They previously held 52 seats with
39.5% of the vote. The Green Party won 12.5% of the vote but no seats.
Leading the campaign for Proportional Representation is BC Green Party leader Adriane Carr. She has launched a Citizens
Initiative to force the provincial government to consider legislation she has drafted for the adoption of MMP. Success
depends on signing up 10% of the voters in each electorate.
"I hope my speaking tour will add to the momentum already building throughout the province," Rod Donald said.
"There's a lot at stake because a win in British Columbia should cause a domino effect across Canada's provinces, and
ultimately lead to the dumping of First Past the Post at the federal level as well."
Rod Donald's itinerary includes public meetings and media interviews in eleven towns and cities as well as training
sessions for electoral reform campaigners - see www.freeyourvote.bc.ca for details. He will also meet with PR advocates in San Francisco on his way to Vancouver.
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