Contact us:info@localchoicebc.ca
British Columbia’s municipal elections often suffer from disengagement and low voter turnout. While cities and towns across North America are using innovative methods to make their local elections more participatory, diverse and fair, our cities and towns in BC are severely restricted by the Local Government Act. This one-size-fits-all legislation does not allow the flexibility to address the needs of our diverse municipalities.
We propose that municipalities be given more choice, allowing them to customise their local elections based on local needs. Each British Columbia municipality is unique and there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution. Municipal leaders know the electoral restrictions set by Victoria are not in the best interest of strengthening local democratic participation.Zeb King - Councillor, Central Saanich - "I support in principle the idea that Central Saanich can best address the needs of its voters and should be allowed greater flexibility to use electoral systems. That said, I also think Elections BC should maintain oversight in order to ensure fairness in the electoral process. Lastly, I also support spending limits to preserve the ability for anyone to run for local office."
Nora Gambioli - Councillor, West Vancouver
Murray Weisenberger - Councillor, North Saanich
Denis Walsh - Councillor, Kamloops - "We need more choice and flexible options to strengthen our local democratic election process."
Arjun Singh - Councillor, Kamloops
Teresa Patterson - Councillor, Parksville
Mark Rogers - Councillor, Dawson Creek
Owen Dickie - Councillor, District of Lake Country
Craig Speirs - Councillor, Maple Ridge - "Our voting system is from the last century and needs to be brought into this one. I can see many improvements that could be made before the next election."
Mary Gay - Councillor, Montrose
Patricia Heintzman - Mayor, Squamish
Greg Blanchette - Councillor, Tofino - "I have long believed that the first-past-the-post electoral system addresses citizen's needs poorly. Bringing an alternate system in at the municipal level would be an excellent way to foster electoral reform at the provincial and national level."