BC government proclaims racist referendum a success.

the results of the bc treaty referendum were announced a few days ago, or at least part of the results the bc liberals wanted us to hear. the full results, broken down by constituancy, are available through elections bc.

according to these results, 26,702 ballots that were returned blank or sent through first nations band offices or the anglican church as a form of protest against the process were "not considered during the ballot count because they did not meet the requirements of the Treaty Negotiations Referendum Regulation".

the bc government, "is pleased that British Columbians have provided clear and positive support for all the principles set out in the referendum," said Premier Gordon Campbell. "An affirmative response to the eight questions ranged from 84 to 95 per cent of validly cast votes." link

in an article that ran in the regina leader-post, Barabara Yaffe explained "The eight questions on the mail-in ballot, were in fact, a problem for many. They were no-brainers designed to evoke a Yes answer, requiring no thought and no debate. In fact, so manipulative were they, pollster Angus Reid called them one-sided, amateurish and motherhood. He dubbed the referendum 'a flimsy exercise'."

Cindy E. Harnett writes in the Times Colonist (Victoria) that "The mail-in referendum cost about $4.5 million, Attorney General Geoff Plant said Thursday. Plant did not offer any explanation as to why the costs came in well below budget. The process was expected to cost $9 million to $10 million. That use of taxpayers' dollars angered aboriginal leaders, churches, activists and labour groups opposed to the referendum."

another resounding success for the bc liberal government? more like another example of how blindly ignorant they are to what their constituants actually feel or think. while campell announces that a resounding majority of people agree with the principles of the referendum, he ignores the fact that only a minority of people participated, that the questions were leading, that First Nations were not consulted, and that this likely cost clost to 10 million dollars in tax payers money.

the Union of BC Indian Chiefs issued a press release yesterday about the results of the treaty referendum.