Ministry of Attorney General
May 2009 Electoral Reform Referendum
Proponent and Opponent Group Funding
On May 12, 2009, British Columbia will hold a provincewide referendum on whether to adopt the single transferable vote (STV) electoral system proposed by the Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform.
Government will provide $500,000 in funding to one group on each side of the debate to undertake public information campaigns to support or oppose STV. The regulation governing the referendum set out a process for interested organizations to apply to the deputy attorney general.
The successful applicants were announced Jan. 12, 2009. Selection was based on applicants' eligibility and an assessment of the applicant's experience and capacity, as demonstrated by the information submitted in the application. They are:
Proponent Group:
- Fair Voting BC
- Approved referendum group name: British Columbians for BC-STV
- Approved financial agent: Jamie Deith
Opponent Group:
- No STV Campaign Society
- Approved referendum group name: No STV
- Approved financial agent: Norman Grdina
The funds will be distributed on or shortly afer Feb. 1, 2009, which is the start of the official referendum campaign period. Funds will be distributed through the chief electoral officer, who will also be responsible for overseeing groups and their financial agents. Funds may only be used for specific activities as set out in Part 2 of the regulation governing the referendum.
