Return to Direct Democracy postings;

I have been remiss in keeping up-to-date information about the subject of Direct Democracy. Sorry! No good excuse. But, the efforts of British Columbians to pursue their government in its hasty, and unexpected huge tax increase via what it called the HST tax cannot go unnoticed for long. Under the amazing leadership of former premier Bill Vander Zalm some 700,000 citizens of the province signed a petition recently to force a referendum on the issue. Back about 1995 the Social Credit government in B.C. which followed that of Vander Zalm's did institute a law permitting such a process. It was not enthusiastic about it, but knew that the citizens wanted to be able to vote on issues, via Direct Democracy. And so, after two years of study it did enact a very awkward law. It said, fundamentally, that if there was a petition signed by ten percent of the citizens in each of the 70 or so ridings of B.C. such a referendum could be pursued. That was, obviously a terrifically difficult task - ten percent of every riding. But, with the HST being so unpopular and Vander Zam's enthusiasm helping to generate a lot of volunteer assistance - the guideline was more than met.
So - now what? A group of big-pocketed businesses tried to force the referendum aside via a court process. They were unsuccessful. The court said that the law was just; it was fair, and had the proper stamp of approval of the citizens. Now it is up to the legislature to emplace the question upon the ballot at the soon to arrive election date. The premier of B.C. - Campbell, has announced his premature retirement. Will the ballot become presented - or not? Vander Zalm has one more card up his sleeve if the government does not include the supposed-to-be required ballot question. Under B.C. law there are rights of recall for unpopular representatives. He suggests that the citizens may pursue recall processes if the government members ignore their wishes about putting the approval of this law upon a referendum. This all illustrates just how strong citizens can be within the boundaries of Direct Democracy, when they put their minds to it. Whether the ultimate referendum passes is not the question. It is the right of citizens within a proper democracy to have a say that is important!