The people want real democracy — Macdonald

Thursday, June 4th was the last day of the Spring Legislative session. A great deal has happened since the delivery of the Throne Speech in February.

One of the low points was certainly the government’s decision to push through the HST legislation despite the fact that so many British Columbians clearly oppose it. Instead of listening to the will of the people, and following the Liberals’ own campaign promise, they rammed through the legislation without proper debate.

But there were also a few high points; examples of what can be accomplished when both sides of the House work together.

Many of the bills before the House this session related to forestry, and as the critic for forestry, it is my job, and the job of my co-critic Bill Routley, to point out the weaknesses in the legislation.

One particular piece of legislation related to protecting independent forestry contractors but an unintended consequence of the bill would have resulted in the elimination of the Woodworkers Lien Act which protected other forestry workers. As a former woodworker himself, Bill Routley could see that this legislation would be damaging to woodworkers, leaving them vulnerable in the event of a company bankruptcy.

When Bill first raised these concerns with the Minister, the Minister brushed him off. This, unfortunately, is the way things usually work in this Legislature. Opposition MLAs raise valid points, but government just ignores them.

But this time it was different. After further consideration, the Minister investigated and discovered that Bill was right. As a result, that legislation was amended before it was passed, and woodworkers will now retain important rights.

What if the Legislature always worked this way? What if each piece of legislation was improved through a process of consultation with both sides of the House?

Well, I believe that government must work this way.

If we had an effective committee system that included the opportunity for testimony from expert witnesses and for public comment, the result would be more balanced and thoughtful legislation.

If we had a level of debate in the House that involved an exchange of ideas, the result would be that the views of the people would be allowed to come forward through their elected representatives.

If we had a system where new legislation was an expression of public will, the result would be that people would be much more willing to become fuller participants in our democracy.

Hundreds of thousands of British Columbians are signing a petition expressing their desire for better government and it is the responsibility of every elected official to take that desire seriously.

Norm Macdonald MLA
Columbia River – Revelstoke
http://www.NormMacdonald.ca