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Options to fix 'democratic deficit' divides Tory

candidatesEdmonton JournalWed Nov 22 2006Page: A6Section: NewsDateline: EDMONTONSource: The Edmonton Journal

EDMONTON - The Progressive Conservative Party has ruled Alberta for35 years, often with massive majorities.

The Journal asked the men contending for the leadership of the party --and the province -- for their opinions on four issues related to what somehave called Alberta's "democratic deficit."

PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION

In the current, first-past-the-post electoral system, the opposition partieswin a significant percentage of the votes cast, but have relatively few seatsin the legislature. Proportional representation awards seats to a party in

proportion to the percentage of votes it receives. There are no individualconstituencies -- rather, a slate of candidates is elected.

Gary McPherson and Ted Morton said they would consider some sort ofproportional representation.

"Democracy in Alberta could be healthier," McPherson said. Referendumsand other methods for improving representation should be considered, headded.

Morton would consider proportional representation but only for Edmonton

and Calgary.

Jim Dinning said matters of electoral reform, such as proportionalrepresentation, term limits and fixed election dates should be discussed.

"I would turn to the Progressive Conservative Party members and say, 'Tellme. Let's debate this, let's discuss it, come to conclusions on it.' And if weneed to take action on it, we will."

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Other candidates said proportional representation would break the vitalconnection MLAs have with their constituents. They also believe it canparalyze the legislature because it usually results in a minority governmentin which the parties can't agree.

"The system we have, despite its flaws, is still the best one," Mark Norrissaid.

Victor Doerksen did not respond to repeated requests for an interview.

THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS BUREAU

Few in the public are even aware of the existence of the taxpayer-fundedPublic Affairs Bureau, but it has played a crucial role in implementing thepolicies of Premier Ralph Klein's government over the last decade.

With 130 employees and a budget of more than $12 million, its job, someobservers say, is not to provide the public with impartial information but toensure the promotion of the government's political agenda. The bureau'sresources make it difficult for the opposition parties to compete when itcomes to getting their message out.

All of the candidates, except Dinning and Dave Hancock, agreed thebureau has become too politicized.

"I would defend the government's right to communicate with the public,"Hancock said, adding that he wasn't sure how to draw a line between

political and government communications.

Ed Stelmach, however, appears to have no problem with it. He said hewould separate the political communications of the Tory party from thegovernment within a few weeks of taking office.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Alberta is the only province whose standing committees exclude oppositionmembers. Standing committees conduct research and hold discussions toproduce bills and regulations that may be enacted in the legislature. InOttawa, members of all political parties sit on standing committees,although the ruling party generally controls them by having the mostmembers.

Dinning, Morton, McPherson, Stelmach, Hancock and Lyle Oberg wouldintroduce all-party committees.

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"Anything that is done behind closed doors is suspect," Oberg said.

Norris would not change anything.

"I am not going to reach out to the opposition to get votes," Norris said.

"People voted for us for a reason and that is to make policy."

THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION

Only the legislature of tiny Prince Edward Island sits for fewer days thanAlberta's. To get its work done in so few days, the Tory government oftenforces the legislature to sit for long hours. And some MLAs don't attendevery day of the short session.

"We have basically neutered the legislature," McPherson said. "We havebrought it into caucus and it has become too secretive. I think that

demeans the whole legislative process."

All the candidates agreed the sessions need to be longer and morestructured. Most said they would prefer set sitting days, similar to what isbeing done in British Columbia.

Hancock asked: "How are you going to get women to run for office if youare sitting until midnight and there is no family time?"

He added that the lengthy days and lack of set days effectively exclude thepublic from viewing the process.

Stelmach said he would negotiate with the opposition to set the sessiondates.

"I would like to see periods of recess so MLAs can return to their ridingsand talk to people about proposed legislation," he said.

Compiled by Charles Rusnell and Jason Markusoff