A day after New Democratic Party MLA's complained about "undue delay" in appointing a new Chief Electoral Officer, that appointment has been announced.
John van Dongen, who chaired the bi-partisan committee to find a new CEO, tabled a report in the legislature saying Keith Archer has been chosen to do the job.
Archer is a professor of political science at the University of Calgary and the director of research at the Banff Centre, van Dongen said. His curriculum vitae takes 19 pages.
Harry Neufeld's term as CEO ended in June, 2010. The position has since been filled on an interim basis by legislative clerk Craig James, who was appointed by the government without the unanimous consent of the legislature.
"We are delighted to support this appointment," said the NDP's Sue Hammell, the MLA for Surrey-Green Timbers and deputy chair of the selection committee.
The appointment begins on Sept. 1, 2011.
Andrew MacLeod is The Tyee’s Legislative Bureau Chief in Victoria. Reach him here.
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Skywalker
39 weeks ago
This demands some answers to questions.
Is Horgan not talking to Hammel? Did van Dongen simply get the committee off its butt because of the heat? Was Horgan set up to make the government appear decisive? That is just a few.
offended
39 weeks ago
Or did Horgan light the fire?
You keep defending the indefensible Liberals.
Van Isle
39 weeks ago
I would suggest that one of
I would suggest that one of the 1st things that Mr. Archer should do is review all of Mr. James's decisions.
Skywalker
39 weeks ago
@offended
Hardly. What gives you that idea?
Skywalker
39 weeks ago
@offended again
By the way, I'm not Luke!
pwlg
39 weeks ago
thanks
We will see if Mr. Archer approaches his job with better personalty traits than Mr. James.
Perhaps the next step for a legislative committee or even Elections BC office is to have a good look at the Act and make recommendations for changes to prevent the sleezy slimy antics of Ms. Clark and any others who wish to taint the sanctity of voting as well as antiquated aspects of the act that doesn't acknowledge social media and other persuasive aspects of electronic media.
Vox.Pop
39 weeks ago
NDP "expert"
Keith Archer's doctoral dissertation in 1983 (from Duke University, NC) was on the failure of the NDP to become an effective national party. He is now a professor of political science at the University of Calgary - the heartland of 'red-meat' capitalism in Canada.
Did the NDP check out this guy in depth before giving him their "delighted support"? I'm always suspicious of EVERY decision made by the BC Liberals - the Masters of Deceit.
jack the bear
39 weeks ago
Well if you're going to
Well if you're going to sweat his c.v., you should also check out this title:
David K. Stewart and Keith Archer, Quasi-Democracy? Parties and Leadership Selection in
Alberta, (Vancouver, University of British Columbia Press), 2000, xiii, 194.
That would indicate balance, at least.
G West
39 weeks ago
I think the decision was not a solely BCLiberal one
Check out the terms of the appointments section of the BC Elections Act.
Appointment of chief electoral officer
4 (1) On the recommendation of the Legislative Assembly, the Lieutenant Governor must appoint as Chief Electoral Officer an individual who has been unanimously recommended for the appointment by a special Committee of the Legislative Assembly.
Election Act [RSBC 1996] CHAPTER 106
The members of the committee were:
John van Dongen (Chair)
Sue Hammell (Deputy Chair)
John Les
Dr. Terry Lake
Bruce Ralston