The Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform is on the verge of recommending a new voting system for B.C., after having studied different models used around the world. B.C. voters will have a chance to accept or reject a new voting system in a referendum next year.

Albertans, too, need a non-partisan citizens' assembly to examine better ways of electing our representatives. Doing so will help to restore the Legislature's true role: holding the premier and cabinet accountable to taxpayers.

In Alberta today, all major decisions are made behind the closed doors of the premier's office or government caucus, without meaningful debate in the Legislature. Whether it's car insurance or health care or the annual budget or electricity deregulation, everything is presented to voters as a done deal, neatly packaged by dozens of well-paid communications professionals. For example, you will never know whether your MLA voted for or against placing a cap on personal injury damages. So much for accountability.

The standing policy committees on finance, health, education and other taxpayer concerns do not have any Opposition MLAs on them. This is a slap in the face to the two fifths of Albertans who did not vote for the PCs in the last election. Even Ottawa - arrogant, bloated, wasteful Ottawa - has Opposition members on its committees.

The Legislature merely confers legal legitimacy on what has already been decided by the premier's office or by a secret vote of the Tory caucus. Bills are rapidly pushed through the Legislature, and the outcome of every vote is a foregone conclusion. Shrill rhetoric and partisan posturing have taken the place of real debate on public policy issues.

Power is concentrated in the premier's office, such that the Legislature no longer provides a parliamentary check on the Government. Ironically, the very reason why Parliament arose in Britain centuries ago was to limit the power of the King - especially his spending powers.

The extreme dominance of the premier and cabinet over the Legislature has blurred the distinction between the Alberta government and the Progressive Conservative Party, which is harmful to democracy.

Alberta's Legislature does not reflect the diverse viewpoints of Albertans. The full range of Albertans' opinions - including greens and libertarians and separatists and conservatives - is not mirrored by our MLAs. The two fifths of Albertans who voted against the government party are completely excluded from meaningful representation - even on standing policy committees whose decisions affect our daily lives.

Our first-past-the-post (FPP) voting system contributes to this sad state of democracy in Alberta, by shutting diverse views out of the Legislature and by concentrating power in the premier's office. A voting system which better reflects the broad spectrum of Albertans' opinions would restore meaningful debate to the Legislature, and would empower MLAs to hold the government accountable to taxpayers.

No voting system is perfect. A proportional representation (PR) system distributes seats to parties on the basis of their share of the popular vote, but takes away electoral districts and the direct link between voters and their local MLA. The single transferable vote, which was used to elect the MLAs for Edmonton and Calgary from the 1920s to the 1950s, is another option.

A citizens' assembly on electoral reform for Alberta would be a first step towards a better voting system, creating more choice and more accountability for taxpayers.