IntegrityBC’s Electoral Finance Reform petition
January 10, 2012Election Finance Reform Petition: http://integritybc.ca/petition continue reading
Changing the Laws to Improve Democracy
December 8, 2011In Fall 2011 Bob introduced two Private Members’ Bills to improve our democracy in British Columbia.
The first Bill would remove big money from politics by restricting donations to candidates and political parties to registered British Columbia voters only, and caps those individual donations at $1000 continue reading
“Democracy’s Great. It’s the Politics I Hate”
In December 2011, a second Samara Democracy Report was released that explored motivations of non-voters. One of the main conclusions of that report was that many non-voters were turned off the system, not because of apathy or because they didn’t buy into democracy, but that their continue reading
Making My Expenses Public
December 7, 2011This week I started posting my travel expense reports on my website www.bobsimpsonmla.ca. The press immediately labeled this a challenge to all other MLAs to become more “transparent” and suggested I wouldn’t be very popular with my colleagues in the Legislature. I also got lots continue reading
Repeal the Balanced Budget Legislation
November 30, 2011What a difference a couple of weeks make. Two weeks ago the Minister of Finance stated he was determined to balance BC’s budget by 2013 as required by the law. This week, armed with a new financial update and weakening prospects for BC’s economy, the Minister continue reading
Step Up to the Ballot Box
November 9, 2011As I’ve written many times before, I think we’re living unsustainably (economically, socially and ecologically) and the only way we can reverse this situation is through a dramatic change in the way we’re governed. Hence, my humble attempt to change that dynamic by giving up a continue reading
Simpson Introduces Bill Banning Corporate and Union Donations
October 27, 2011Watch video of the introduction of this Bill here
Today in the Legislature, Bob Simpson, the Independent MLA for Cariboo North, tabled the Election Finance Amendment Act. The Bill restricts donations to candidates and political parties to registered British Columbia voters only, and caps those individual continue reading
Time to Get Big Money Out of BC Politics
The political corruption scandal in Quebec makes me wonder why BC’s own too intimate relationship between politicians and the corporations, unions and lobbyists that fund them hasn’t created a similar scandal here.
Something about the nature of the relationship between the corporatized media, corporate and union continue reading
MP Exit Interviews
October 25, 2011In 2011 Samara released four reports based on exit interviews of Canadian Members of Parliament from all political parties that offer interesting insight into the parliamentary experience and process.
From Samara: “In 2009 and 2010, a group from Samara partnered with the Canadian Association of Former continue reading
Time to End the Electioneering
September 7, 2011It’s a relief to have the uncertainty associated with the possibility of a snap election put to an end. But, I’m concerned that the leaders of BC’s main political parties won’t be able to rise above the petty partisanship that’s characterized their relationship to date.
The continue reading
Stay Active on Other Issues
August 31, 2011Twice now, the people of BC have had an opportunity to have their say on the HST. The first time, of course, was the very successful initiative petition which set up the referendum vote, the results of which were reported out last week. However, unlike the continue reading
A Vote for Changing the Voting System?
August 17, 2011One of the most interesting outcomes of the HST referendum has little to do with taxes and fiscal policy: the participation rate in the referendum.
According to early analysis by Elections BC, 1.6 million voters took the time to mark their HST ballots and mail them continue reading
The On Again/Off Again BC Election
July 13, 2011BC has been in election mode for too long. Since the introduction of the HST after the 2009 election, both political parties have simply been posturing toward the next election and little governance has taken place.
Once the new leaders of the NDP and the Liberals continue reading
People Power
July 6, 2011I recently joked with my staff that there are two indicators of the human resource challenge confronting us: the difficulty organizations are having recruiting volunteers and the list of vacant paper routes in our community.
When I referenced my theory to a local newspaper editor, she continue reading
Simpson Tables Bill Requiring Daily Donation Reporting During Election Period
May 18, 2011The Independent MLA for Cariboo North, Bob Simpson, has tabled the Election Transparency Amendment Act 2011; a Bill designed to enable voters to make a more informed choice when they mark a ballot. Changes to the Election Act will require candidates, constituency associations, and political continue reading
We Need Democratic Reform
May 12, 2011The major reason for this is the stranglehold political parties have on our system; they trap us in perpetual election mode as they constantly vie for power. Elections are supposed to occur over 28 days every four years, in between all elected members of the Legislative continue reading
Electoral Reform: An Unfinished Conversation
May 11, 2011The recent federal election has once again reignited debate about the need to reform our voting system and a “National Day of Action for Electoral Reform” has been called for May 14.
The current first part the post (FPTP) system creates majority governments despite the fact continue reading
How Did We End Up With an Unelected Premier?
March 16, 2011This week Christy Clark was sworn in as BC’s 35th Premier along with seventeen Liberal MLAs who will serve in her Cabinet. These 18 people make up the Executive Council.
From BC’s first Parliament in 1871 until 1929, MLAs appointed to the Executive Council were required continue reading