Dear Editor,
The Bowen-based NDP candidate in the recent provincial election, Michelle Livaja, speaks for the great majority of B.C. electors when she states that “having big money in elections undermines democracy, so having leadership dedicated to changing that is going to make an important difference”. In this province in particular, it has spawned a system of legalized bribery so blatant that it caught the attention of the New York Times (British Columbia: The ‘Wild West’ of Canadian Political Cash, January 13).
I believe a key factor in the B.C. provincial election was the resulting lack of trust in Premier Christy Clark and her government. Any elected representative who personally accepts $300,000 in payments within such a system of governance does not deserve to lead a province, nor a party. For the political health of our province, Clark needs to resign her positions as premier and as leader of the B.C. Liberal Party.
As we continuously strive to do on Bowen Island, the only path to a healthier and better society is to maintain the political agenda where it belongs in a democracy - in the hands of the people. Thank you to Michelle Livaja for upholding our traditional defence of democracy at the provincial level.
John Sbragia
