AG's reply of April 1, 2000 letter

Thank you for your letter of APRIL1, 2000, detailing your suggestions for changes in the ballot procedures and the election of Members of the Legislature for future elections in British Columbia.

Your ideas for a "none of the above" option on the ballot form and the random selection of Members of the Legislature are innovative and interesting. At present there are no immediate plans to make the substantial changes to our electoral system as indicated in your letter. Your suggestions for changes will be taken into account when the Election Act is next reviewed In your letter you mention the role of the Lieutenant Governor as having "some authority to influence matters of public concern which have non-partisan support" under section 282(1) of the Election Act. I would just like to point out that this section of the Act refers to the Lieutenant Governor in Council which means the Lieutenant Governor acting on the advice of the Executive Council (i.e. Cabinet). As a member of the Executive Council and as the Attorney General, I can assure you that I do embrace the democratic ideals in Article 21 of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.

I appreciate your writing.

Yours sincerely,
Andrew Petter
Attorney General
PO Box 9044 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria BC V8W 9E2