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BC Premier & Opposition Leader to debate electoral reform

premier john horgan, andrew wilkinson
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Thursday, November 1 ~ BC.

~ West Shore Voice News

On Thursday, November 8, Premier John Horgan and Opposition Leader Andrew Wilkinson will take part in a joint debate on British Columbia’s electoral reform referendum.

The referendum asks British Columbians if they want to change the system by which they elect members of the legislature in the province — whether to move to a form of proportional representation (three options are offered on the ballot) or keep the current first-past-the-post (FPTP) method.

The discussion will be broadcast on CBC British Columbia and Global BC from 7 to 7:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on November 8.

Premier John Horgan will debate in favour of reform, while Opposition Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson will make the case for keeping the current system. Green Leader Andrew Weaver, who supports proportional representation, is not participating in the debate.

A pre-debate special will air on radio, TV and online from 6:30 to7 pm. A post-debate analysis will be broadcast online and on radio.

Viewers can tune in on CBC Television, CBC Radio One, CBC British Columbia’s website, CBC Vancouver’s Facebook page, and @CBCNewsBC Periscope.

The commercial-free debate will be moderated by CBC Vancouver’s Stephen Quinn and Global’s Lynda Steele.

While the content of the referendum ballot is key, there may also be questions about the mail-in ballot process and how in some ways it is cumbersome and something that works against full participation in the digital age, especially among the youth demographic.