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With no fall sitting BC's independent MLA's are pushing for democratic reform
VANCOUVER/CKNW (AM980)
Shane Woodford | Email news tips to shane.woodford@corusent.com
9/19/2012

As Premier Christy Clark abandons the legislature to tour BC this fall the province's two independant MLA's are also going to the people.

 Delta South independant Vicki Huntington will join Bob Simpson for a Twitter town hall tomorrow on democratic reform.

 Huntington agrees with Clark, the legislature is unhealthy, when it comes to allowing MLA's to represent their constituents.

  "The level of ability for an MLA to contribute effectively in the Legislative Assembly is very limited and it needs to change MLA's have to be able to effectively represent their people otherwise there is an incredible frustration among the public that their voice cannot be heard."

 Huntington blames the party system with MLA's marching to the leaders orders.

  "The party system requires the MLA to fall in line with cabinet policy and the policy of their leader there is no opportunity for an MLA belonging to a party to publically represent the people of their riding if that means they have to criticize their own party publically."

 Huntington says elected officials can sit on legislative committees and push for change but many never meet.

 "Crown Corporations hasn't met in years, Environment committee hasn't met in years, Energy committee hasn't met in years. How do MLAs become involved in any of the serious public issues with any hope of influencing decision making."

 The townhall gets going at noon Thursday with the hashtag #bcdemreform


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  1. Ron_26 posted on 09/19/2012 05:27 PM
    Once again CKNW slams Christy by the first line. And you say your fair. Haw!
    1. Borninapirateship posted on 09/20/2012 09:44 PM
      @Ron_26 ...and she deserves it. Cancelling the fall session is self serving and cowardly, not to mention accepting pay without providing the service she promised to deliver (governing and legislating British Columbia). If I don't go to work, I don't get paid.
  2. Garp posted on 09/19/2012 05:46 PM
    The HST was passed into law over the objections of MLA's. Liberals have had 12 years to make reforms - actions speak louder than words
  3. commonsense posted on 09/19/2012 07:15 PM
    Why is it such a big deal to be in the legislature? There was no legislature in Fall 2010, so why is such a big deal?

    So they go to the legislature and act like immature school children arguing over nothing because there is no change to be introduced and no laws being made. Let's call the legislature and those MLAs can use our money to travel there, stay in places on our dime and so on.

    People are whining over so little. They should create some dumb laws and have them shot down in the legislature just to make a point. That would make you happy.
    1. JD_9814 posted on 09/19/2012 07:42 PM
      @commonsense let's get rid of the legislature all together, its a useless democratic institution - we can rely on government to do the right thing.
    2. Borninapirateship posted on 09/20/2012 09:49 PM
      @commonsense How about, you don't show up to work at the Legislature (to represent your constituents), you don't get paid. The Liberals already proved what happens to an arrogant government, when they ram through dumb laws (HST for example). See results of next election.
  4. ChrisM_18 posted on 09/19/2012 08:51 PM
    Talk about shoot yourself in the foot ! Why isn't Christy using the time she has to pass legislation that Joe Q Public is going to like ?
    This is like giving up the fight with out even getting into the ring !
    What is she thinking ? At least get Dix out in the open in the legislature where he is forced to stand up and open his mouth - give us a chance to confirm what an airhead idiot he is ! Now he can just lay back and contnue to avoid saying a thing until the election is called
  5. miltw posted on 09/20/2012 07:41 AM
    Once again crissy has used her same old routine for a bit of press.

    Open mouth insert foot ,smile and show her pitiful intelligence.Repeat as necessary.

    She really needn't worry about the Victoria legislature being unhealthy when what she should be worrying about is packing.
  6. WizardOron posted on 09/20/2012 08:58 AM
    Christy likes all of the glamour of government such as traveling overseas, hosting dignitaries, photo-ops and the like but when it comes down to governing she can't handle the heat of the legislature. Going out to listen to the people is great but that is all she has been doing since since she returned to government. When will she stand up and be the leader of this province? When will she make her case and prove to us why she should be returned to office come next May? I seem to remember that one of her cabinet ministers mentioning that she never leads with an idea but has everyone else come up with ideas before she comes up with her own. To me that is not the quality of a leader I want running our province.

    I did not agree much with Gordon Campbell but at least he was a leader. He had and always made his views known and defended them, right or wrong.

    Christy needs to learn how to do the same.

    She talks out of both sides of her mouth, so who is the really Christy Clark? The one that can't stand government or the one who said at time that she loves the legislature and question period?
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