Midcoast Morning

A body tasked with improving our democracy has made dozens of recommendations to the government of BC. The special committee on democratic and electoral reform has put out its first report, after receiving close to a thousand submissions from British Columbians over the summer months. The committee is made up of MLAs from across party lines, and has a two part mandate.

This report is all about the first part of that mandate, which is to examine and make recommendations related to democratic engagement and voter participation, and models for electing MLAs.

The report calls on the provincial government to consider creating a people’s assembly that would make recommendations about electoral reform and also looks at ways to improve civic education and voter turnout, and how to address misinformation.

VIU professor Michael Mackenzie spoke with Midcoast Morning to offer his views on the recommendations. The program also spoke with the chair and vice chair of the committee, MLAs Jennifer Blatherwick and Ward Stamer.

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Podcast Photo: Legislature Dome (Hossein Soltanloo)
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Creators and Guests

Host
Joe Pugh
Host and producer for Midcoast Morning, and is a journalist with CHLY 101.7FM's Nonprofit Newsroom Project.
Guest
Jennifer Blatherwick
Chair, Special Committee for Democratic and Electoral Reform / BC NDP MLA for Coquitlam-Maillardville
Editor
Jesse Woodward
Executive Director / Executive Producer / Managing Editor at CHLY 101.7FM
Guest
Michael Mackenzie
Jarislowsky Chair in Trust and Political Leadership, Vancouver Island University
Guest
Ward Stamer
Vice-Chair, Special Committee for Democratic and Electoral Reform / BC Conservative Party of MLA for Kamloops-North Thompson

What is Midcoast Morning?

Typically running 28 minutes, Midcoast Morning covers local news and current affairs happening in Nanaimo and on the Salish Sea. Midcoast Morning largely focuses in on one big story per show, interviewing reporters about their stories, as well as those making news and those impacted by it. We also feature the curators and creators in our local arts and culture scene.

Midcoast Morning broadcasts and podcasts every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning at 8:30 AM.

Tune in at www.chly.ca/listen or CHLY 101.7FM in Nanaimo and on the Salish Sea. Find the podcast at www.chly.ca/podcasts alongside other podcasts from our station.