Editor, The Times:
There has been a virtual landslide of misinformation on the upcoming referendum on voting systems. The Fraser Institute, that bastion of corporate power and fringe right wing-nut politics, has spent a large amount of money flooding the media with negative articles on the dangers of proportional voting.
They claim that proportional voting systems will give extreme left, and by extension, extreme right elements more power in our legislature. In fact, 16 years of the previous “con Liberal” government has given extreme right wing elements like the Fraser Institute extraordinary influence in government under the present first past the post system.
This present system has been extremely effective in keeping out left wing extremists, but a total failure at keeping out right wing elements such as the Fraser Institute.
The proportional voting system, with its five per cent of popular vote threshold, would present extremists from gaining a foothold in our legislature.
When you receive your referendum ballot in the mail, look at all the options critically. There is an article in The Times titles, “Putting the spotlight on a system of possible interest,” that may help you with your choice. Oct. 25/18 Page A5.
Make sure you mark and return your ballot to have your voice heard.
Wes Morden,
Clearwater, B.C.
