(March 1, 2023) Changes are being proposed to the Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) Electoral Act that should set alarm bells ringing with MNBC Citizens. In three separate resolutions going to the Métis Nation Governing Assembly (MNGA) meeting later this week, the MNBC Electoral Committee is proposing significant changes which, if approved, would see a hodgepodge of voting methods, and ballots and ballot boxes travelling the province potentially weakening the integrity of the existing MNBC elections process.
In one of three resolutions, it proposes two options as possible amendments to the Electoral Act. In one option, it is proposed to re-institute polling station voting which would be added to the already existing online voting and mail-in ballot options. Given the challenges of managing a single voting system during an election, the potential for problems with three voting systems would increase exponentially.
The second option in the same resolution would have ballot boxes available in Métis communities that request them. In addition, they are proposing a Mobile Polling Station to be an advance poll consisting of a team of election officials “…who visit Communities…” with two ballot boxes and ballots. Ballot boxes and ballots travelling the province with a “team of election officials” – Really? How many teams will be travelling, who exactly will be selecting the teams, and who is going to be keeping track of all the ballots?
Another resolution that the Electoral Committee is proposing would, if approved, see a widespread information campaign implemented including having a voters’ guide prepared, newspaper and social media ads purchased and direct mail sent to voters. The Committee claims the resolution is being proposed partly because “for many people, voting can be a confusing and intimidating experience”. Really? Exactly who will ensure the information campaign is impartial and unbiased?
But one other resolution that the Electoral Committee proposes takes the cake. It is called the “Regulatory Authority for Elections” and would allow for new rules or existing election rules to be amended by the MNGA after an election has been called. Yes you read that right. To be clear it would work like this - the election has been called, and all of a sudden new rules can be made or existing rules amended as the election process unfolds. It would be like changing the hockey rules for the Stanley Cup once the final series are underway. Would the hockey players and fans be happy with that? Not for one moment.
BC Métis Leader and former MNBC President Clara Morin Dal Col questioned the thinking behind the resolutions. She said, “These resolutions are asinine and should be rejected because they are not at all in the interests of our Métis citizens who want to ensure the election process is fair and unbiased.
Ms. Morin Dal Col said, “These resolutions should be buried in a deep hole.”
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For further information:
Contact Clara Morin Dal Col
BC Métis Leader
Email: cmdalcol@gmail.com
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