The Editor, Re: "Meet the new kid in politics," May 23, News. In a recent article, newly elected MLA Teresa Wat shared her insight regarding Richmond Centre's dismal 38.9 percent voter turnout.
The story continues, "Wat said she believes a large percentage of new immigrants in the riding who are ineligible to vote is the reason for the low turnout. Registration to vote in B.C. requires Canadian citizenship, being at least 18-years-old, and a resident in B.C. for the past six months.
"Wat said some Chinese immigrants who can qualify also rule themselves out of voting because they are reluctant to relinquish their Chinese citizenship for a Canadian one."
We must forgive our representative for being completely new to politics. Perhaps she did not understand that voter turnout is calculated by counting only those eligible to vote. We can only hope she learns this very basic stuff quickly.
I believe that if we looked further into Richmond Centre's voter apathy, we might instead find some answers we don't want to hear. Perhaps voters do not see much legitimacy in the process when political parties just parachute people with little record of community involvement. Or, maybe, people here just do not care.
Notwithstanding, Ms. Wat has four years to sincerely prove her commitment to Richmond Centre, and develop a good cognitive political understanding. I wish her the best!
Gary Cross Richmond
