If elected, will you establish independent civilian investigation of police-involved deaths, as recommended in the Davies report on the Inquiry into the death of Frank Paul, and as implemented in Ontario and Saskatchewan?
Green Party
Yes. The Green Party would appoint an independent Provincial Police Commissioner to oversee investigations of police conduct and process for all jurisdictions.
New Democratic Party
Yes, we support the establishment of independent civilian oversight and investigation into police-involved deaths.
BC Liberal Party
In March 2009, the BC Liberal government introduced comprehensive revisions to the Police Act to ensure effective oversight of and public confidence in the police complaint process and BC’s municipal police forces. The amendments would implement extensive recommendations advanced by an independent report from Justice Joe Wood released in February 2007. The Act would substantially enhance the powers of the independent police complaint commissioner, who would oversee complaint handling from the time of filing and provide advice or direction, where necessary, to ensure further investigative steps are taken. To assess how well the new process works, the Act would require an audit to be completed by Jan. 1, 2013.
If elected, will you bring the RCMP under the same complaints process as our municipal police forces through the negotiation for their policing contract renewal in 2012? Do you have an alternative model for ensuring RCMP accountability to British Columbians?
Green Party
The Green Party of BC would, by 2012, create a provincial police force to replace the RCMP in BC. Also, we would establish a citizen’s assembly to make recommendations on policing and law enforcement models for British Columbia, with a mandate to include recommendations for proper civilian oversight process.
New Democratic Party
Yes, we will encourage local governments to bring the RCMP under the same complaint process as municipal police forces as part of upcoming contract negotiations.
BC Liberal Party
The BC Liberals want the federal government to harmonize its RCMP complaint process with our proposed new municipal complaint process so citizens know their avenues of recourse are not hampered by jurisdictional or legislative issues. A BC Liberal government would support ongoing discussions between BC’s Police Complaints Commissioner and his federal counterpart.
If elected, will you amend the “e-health” initiative of centralized electronic health care records which poses an unprecedented risk to patient privacy, and restructure the program to ensure that it enshrines patient consent and control over the disclosure of personal health information?
Green Party
Yes.
New Democratic Party
A key reason we opposed the governments legislation governing a province-wide electronic health records database is our belief that public confidence in the system’s ability to protect privacy will be key to its success. We have concerns about the lack of clarity and effectiveness of the government’s proposed disclosure directives and the overall lack of public education about how individuals can exercise control over their personal health information. We are willing to work with patient and privacy advocacy groups after the election to ensure these concerns are being addressed in the implementation of the E-health system.
BC Liberal Party
Once electronic health records are fully launched, patients will be able to mask their personal information through a disclosure directive. They can also limit access of their information to selected individuals through the provision of a password. eHealth will enhance patient privacy protection compared to paper records. Every time someone accesses eHealth information, that access will be recorded, leaving an electronic footprint. That means eHealth can track who has seen the information and how many times it has been viewed. If a patient’s privacy were ever invaded, the culprit could be found and stopped. That is not possible with paper records. B.C.’s information and privacy commissioner is a member of the advisory council making privacy recommendations to the Province; the government also consults his office regularly on general health privacy matters.
If elected, will you reform the current voter identification requirements for provincial elections to ensure that marginalized seniors, students, the homeless and those living in poverty can participate in the electoral process if another identifiable voter can swear to that individual’s identity?
Green Party
Yes.
New Democratic Party
We voted against Bill 42 and in particular opposed new identification restrictions that will make it more difficult for the vulnerable and marginalized to participate in the electoral process. We will change the requirements to ensure greater participation and will reinstate allowing identifiable voters to swear to an individual’s identity.
BC Liberal Party
The BC Liberal government brought in changes to the Election Act following recommendations made by the Province’s Chief Electoral Officer in 2006. The amendments clarify the process for voter registration, allowing a more accurate voters’ list to be established. Voter identification requirements have also been strengthened to reduce the potential for voter fraud. Absentee voters are able to vote in another riding provided they have either sufficient identification to prove their home address or a fellow voter from their electoral district to vouch for them. The changes reflect public input and the practice in other jurisdictions, particularly the federal government.
If elected, will you repeal Bill 42, which requires individuals who wish to speak publicly on election issues to register with the government, and which limits third party electoral spending?
Green Party
The Green Party would review and amend Bill 42 to make the requirements less onerous on small organizations and individuals, however we would not repeal the law altogether. The excessive influence of narrow interest groups, amongst other factors, has led to distrust and disillusionment among citizens. It is important for the democratic process to be citizen-oriented rather than one dominated by “which organization can shout the loudest”. As with most things in life, moderation is the answer, as opposed to one extreme or the other.
New Democratic Party
As you are no doubt aware, a recent decision by the B.C. Supreme Court removed the restrictions imposed by Bill 42 during the 60 days before the election campaign period and the legislation will be changed to reflect that. With respect to requiring individuals and organizations to register in order to conduct election advertising, we voted against Bill 42. The government has not presented any evidence regarding problems that led to the inclusion of this section. In this light, we see no evidence to change the previous language.
BC Liberal Party
The BC Liberals brought in Bill 42 and we have no plans to repeal it.
If elected, will you provide for legal aid funding at levels that will reasonably allow for the needs of low income and poor persons in British Columbia facing criminal, immigration, and family legal disputes and reverse the cuts that have been made to legal services by the Legal Services Society on April 1, 2009?
Green Party
Yes.
New Democratic Party
We are very concerned about the current state of legal aid in BC, particularly with respect to family law. We will work towards reinstating resources for legal aid services, starting with additional funding of $10 million annually for 2010/11 and 2011/12. As resources permit we will do more to fix B.C.'s legal aid system to ensure access for those who need it.
BC Liberal Party
The BC Liberal government funded the Legal Services Society $65.3 million to provide civil and criminal legal aid in 2008/09 – an increase of 19% over the past five years. In 2008/09, the BC Liberal government spent $29.9 million on access to justice services above and beyond the funding we provide to the legal aid program, including services that enhance mediation and dispute resolution. We took steps to ensure that legal representation for family disputes is available to eligible clients in emergency situations, including clients in financial need where the Province is seeking custody of a child.
If elected, will you reinstate legislative protection against Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) lawsuits?
Green Party
Yes.
New Democratic Party
The former NDP government introduced legislation to protect against Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) that was later abandoned by the BC Liberal government. A future NDP government would reinstate legislative protections.
BC Liberal Party
The BC Liberal government repealed the Protection of Public Participation Act, the NDP government's anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) legislation. The Act created the potential for long delays in BC's civil justice system. Instead, the BC Liberals support efforts to reform the justice system to make it more accessible and affordable for all British Columbians.
