Vancouver – The BCGEU – BC Government and Service Employees’ Union was granted intervenor status with the right to call evidence by the B.C. Supreme Court Thursday in response to the petition brought forth by the Independent Contractors and Business Association (ICBA), the Canada West Construction Union and private citizen Kenneth Baerg. The petition challenges the provincial government’s proportional representation referendum ballot and big money ban.
“It’s no secret that most British Columbians are deeply dissatisfied with the current electoral system and BCGEU members are overwhelmingly in that camp,” says BCGEU president Stephanie Smith. “That’s why we decided to speak out against the petitioners and stand up for the right of all working people to have a voice in electoral reform through this referendum.”
The BCGEU’s 77,000 members have expressed strong support for electoral reform.
The BCGEU will argue that the petitioners had the opportunity to provide input on the referendum during a provincial government public engagement process that took place between November 23, 2017 and February 28, 2018. The BCGEU along with 46 other organizations and 208 individuals made written submissions to the provincial government during this time, but the ICBA and others made no contribution.
Claiming that the current electoral system is more conducive to their business interests, the petitioners do not represent the interests of British Columbians, but rather a narrow band of businesses.
The ICBA have already been handed a strong reprimand from the court earlier this fall, when a judge dismissed their injunction application and found their case to be based, in part, on conjecture, rhetoric and exaggeration.
For more on BCGEU’s electoral reform campaign,check these links:
From Fair Elections/BCGEU , <https://fairelections.bcgeu.ca/>
From the Vancouver Sun, <https://vancouversun.com/opinion/op-ed/opinion-electoral-reform-will-deliver-the-full-power-of-the-vote>
