Independent B.C. MLAs call for electoral changes, including moving voting date

VICTORIA – Three Independent MLA’s in the B.C. legislature are joining forces to call for changes that include moving the province’s fixed election date to the fall from the spring.

Bob Simpson, John van Dongen and Vicki Huntington held a joint news conference in Victoria to say they will introduce legislation proposing that the next provincial election after the one in May be held in the fall of 2017.

The MLA’s also want a ban on corporate and union donations to election campaigns, and they say Elections B-C should have control over party leadership contests to ensure a transparent and democratic leadership process.

In addition, Simpson, van Dongen and Huntington are calling for secret ballots to elect the Speaker of the legislature, more independence for legislative committees and more free votes in the house.

B.C.’s fourth independent MLA, former Liberal John Slater, did not attend the announcement.