Now Is The Time To Choose

Voting started today in the Vancouver municipal election, so it is time to choose one’s candidates.

First I want to repeat what I have written before, that you don’t have to vote for all positions on the ballot. Other than the mayoralty, there are 26 positions available: 10 for Council, 7 for Parks Board, 9 for School Board. You can vote for only one or three or whatever or none in each of those categories.  I would argue that voting for candidates you are not sure of just to fill up the ballot is likely to help elect people you do not want.

I am planning to attend the Mayoral Debate tonight, so that final choice can wait another day.  But for City Councillors, I have already made up my mind.  I will be voting for the following:

• Adriane Carr (Green)
• Pete Fry (Green)
• Cleta Brown (Green)
• R.J. Aquino (OneCity)
• Nicholas Chernen (Cedar)
• Glen Chernen (Cedar)
• Lisa Barrett (COPE)
• Tim Louis (COPE)
• Ian Robertson (NPA)
• Rob McDowell (NPA)

As I have said many times before, a Council composed of four or more parties prevents the kind of majority-dictatorship we have suffered under for the last six years.  This is even more important this year because Vision worked with the BC Liberals to extend City Council terms to four years.

Vision has made it quite clear — through Mayor Robertson, and Councillors Meggs and Reimer — that the election is the only consultation they feel obliged to go through.  If Vision wins another majority, they won’t bother to ask your opinion on anything else until 2018.  In stark contrast, each of the other parties have made community engagement centrepieces of their platforms.

I haven’t followed the Parks or School Board elections too closely. However, I have been impressed with James Buckshon and John Coupar for Parks, with Jane Boeuy, Gwen Giesbrecht and Mischa Oak for School Board.

Whether you agree with my choices or not, please make sure you vote.  This is important stuff!