One more try for the STV

The Single Transferable Vote, a plan to try and reform the voting procedures in British Columbia will get one more shot to endear itself to British Columbians this year.

The Provincial Government has announced a share of the funding of 1.5 million dollars to provide information from both the pro and the con sides of the debate, all leading up to a referendum in next springs provincial election.

The Province will provide 500,000 dollars for those in favour of the STV, 500,000 dollars for those that suggest it's not a great idea and 500,000 dollars for the creation of an office to provide unbiased information on the issue.

The changes to the voting procedures of British Columbia were first brought to the attention of the public from the deliberations of the Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform, their report back in 2004, provided recommendations which were put to the vote of the people in the provincial election of May 2005.

In that election year, the vote on STV gained 58 per cent support but fell short of the 60 per cent the government set as the bar for it to pass.

The Tyee has an informative piece on their website that details the past debate in 2005 over the controversial transferable vote system. In it, questions are raised as to how the money will be spent and whether it will truly provide an informative forum, or rather will result in a massive dis-information program which may make things more confusing than educational.

Regardless of those concerns, the money is on the way. And this time, it seems that the province is hoping that a better funded debate will provide for a more definitive decision on the way we may go to the ballot box in the future.

The Tyee--Funding Found for New Vote on How BC Elects