The British Columbia New Democratic Party is working with aboriginal, faith and community organizations to promote an "active boycott" of the referendum.

"An active boycott provides a choice for individuals who want to express their opposition to the referendum process by redirecting their unsigned ballot to a local band office, labour council or church," explained BC NDP President Maura Parte.

Noting that aboriginal groups have argued that sending a spoiled ballot to the government will lend credibility to the process and may make it easier for the referendum questions to pass, BC NDP Provincial Secretary Ed Lavalle explained that the Party is not recommending a "no" vote because the questions are too ambiguous, allowing the Liberal government to interpret the answers to fit their political goals.

"That's why so many organizations around the province are advocating some form of boycott," said Lavalle. "The Party is supporting the active boycott being led by prominent aboriginal organizations because it allows concerned individuals to redirect their unsigned ballot as a form of protest and an act of conscience."

Individuals who wish to support the active boycott should present their unsigned, blank ballots to one of the many groups collecting them for disposal. These groups include:

First Nations Summit
208-1999 Marine Drive
North Vancouver, BC V7P 3J3

Union of BC Indian Chiefs
5th Floor, 342 Water Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 1B6

United Native Nations
110-425 Carrall Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 6E6

Chief Judith Sayers
Hupacasath First Nation
Box 211
5323 River Road
Port Alberni, BC V9Y 7M7

Other collection points around the province will be identified in the coming days. A list of local band offices participating in the collection and disposal of unsigned, blank ballots will be posted on the following web sites later this week:

First Nations Summit:
www.fns.bc.ca

Union of BC Indian Chiefs:
www.ubcic.bc.ca

United Native Nations:
www.unns.bc.ca

The United Church has also said that it will collect unsigned, blank ballots for disposal. Individuals are encouraged to contact their local parish, or send ballots to :

United Chuch Conference Office
4383 Rumble Street
Burnaby, BC V5J 2A2

BC NDP Newswire - April 3, 2002

BC NDP URGES SUPPORTERS TO BOYCOTT REFERENDUM

The British Columbia New Democratic Party is asking its supporters across the province to boycott the referendum on treaty negotiations now in the mail.

The announcement was made last night during a province-wide teleconference meeting of the Party's Provincial Council delegates and constituency association representatives.

"There should be no referendum on minority rights," said Party President Maura Parte. "It's a waste of money at a time when the Liberals are crying poor, and instead of bringing British Columbians together it's going to drive us apart."

"B.C.'s economy is hurting," said Parte. "Our rural communities have already been hit hard enough - the last thing they need is the conflict and uncertainty that this referendum will bring."

"Only fair and honourable treaties with B.C.'s First Nations can provide the reconciliation, the social justice and the economic opportunity our province so desperately seeks."

"Aboriginal British Columbians are asking their fellow citizens to show their support for the treaty process by abstaining from participation in the referendum. The B.C. NDP is supporting that call. We are urging our members and supporters to boycott the referendum."

Provincial Secretary Ed Lavalle explained why the Party is not advocating spoiling ballots.

"Aboriginal representatives see the referendum as fundamentally unconstitutional and disrespectful," said Lavalle. "While they have suggested negotiation and reconciliation, the government has responded with questions which impose preconditions on the whole process."

"The aboriginal community feels that returning spoiled or blank ballots helps validate the referendum because it's a form of participation."

Lavalle added that the referendum questions are so ambiguous that there's no clear way to reject the premises of the referendum by voting no.

"No matter how the questions are answered, the Liberal government gets the answers it wants. That's why we're asking supporters to simply boycott the ballot by just throwing it away or giving it to local organizations who may be collecting unused ballots to show solidarity with First Nations."

For more news and information, visit www.bc.ndp.ca