Community Control
Advisory Committees
Easily Accessible
Information
Victoria's last municipal election saw a voter turnout of 26.4%. Mayor Alan Lowe received 51.93% of those votes. This means that of the 64,382 registered voters in Victoria, approximately 13.5% decided the fate of our city. There are over 47,000 Victorians whose silence is deafening to every advocate of democracy in this city, and the time has come to wake up, speak out, and take control of your community.
In order for democracy to function, people must not only be able, but also willing to engage in political debate, to voice their concerns, and to vote for the candidate they feel will best represent their values.
While on Council, I will do everything I can to encourage debate, to heed and act upon the concerns of Victorians, and to give the people of this city every possible opportunity to make their opinions heard.
Several ideas have been shared with me regarding possible ways to accomplish this difficult task.
... has so far been used in only two Canadian cities. Markham and Peterborough, Ontario have both successfully held elections which combine internet voting with conventional methods. Both cities have seen a huge increase in voter turnout as a result. Internet voting can also be used by neighbourhood associations to poll local opinion on things like zoning, development plans, new legislation, and community or city events.
To view a report on the electronic voting process in Peterborough, Ontario, visit
http://www.peterboroughvotes.ca/internet.shtml
An article about the voter turnout increase in Markham, Ontario can be found here
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/November2006/16/c5656.html
As a Councilor, I will work to promote easy, active, and informed involvement in local government by helping established community websites integrate secure, reliable methods of accessing public opinion. I will seek the cooperation of established organizations to help citizens stay informed about local issues, as well as Victoria's place in an increasingly global society.
Information about Victoria's upcoming election can be found here
http://www.victoria.ca/cityhall/departments_crpleg_abt.shtml
You can register to vote here http://www.elections.bc.ca/reg/voter.reg.htm
Allowing neighbourhoods to decide how they will incorporate new legislation can help people to better cope with changes to their city's infrastructure. It can also ensure a more equitable distribution of necessary services such as sewage treatment, high density rental units, low income housing, and essential services for the homeless. By assigning an equal amount of each service to be accommodated by every community, we can ensure that no single group receives all of the benefit or burden.
Giving citizens a voice can also help to encourage those who feel left out of the democratic process to get involved in their community.
Due to the apparent lack of information on this subject, a study would need to be done to determine the cost/benefit, as well as the proper methods for realizing this possibility, and to assess the level of interest from various community groups. Whatever form it takes, I am confident that an increase in neighbourhood involvement can be incorporated into the city's major decision-making processes.
... in some form or another are used in democratic countries at all levels of government. At the municipal level, committees address specific issues, and are useful in dealing with routine tasks such as zoning and development proposals, as well as making recommendations for larger projects such as parks and recreational development, city planning and homelessness. Committee members are appointed by Council based on their area of expertise.
These committees are an important asset, as they allow the Council to spend less of its time on routine business and also provide useful expert opinion on major issues. They can act as liaisons to neighbourhood associations and organizers depending on the committee member's involvement in their area.
I will promote the continued use and development of advisory committees, with specific attention directed toward the efficiency, relevance, and effectiveness of Council decisions.
Here is a link to the PDF describing the current advisory committees in Victoria http://www.victoria.ca/cityhall/pdfs/boards_advtos-cac2.pdf?zoom_highlight=committee
It is imperative that everyone who is affected by the actions of the government is well informed about the details of those actions. As a Councilor, I will ensure that the cost/benefit analysis of new projects are always available, and public objections are clearly addressed prior to any major decision being made. I will also ensure that a full report of the expenses and results of any major city project is posted upon completion.
Since 1993, businesses in Victoria have been unable to vote, due to the Local Election Reform Act, which states; "For clarification, no corporation is entitled to be registered as an elector or have a representative as an elector and no corporation is entitled to vote." I firmly believe that, as taxpayers, non-resident small business owners deserve a voice in Victoria's civic elections.
I do not believe that national or multi-national corporations require a vote, as they are better equipped to deal with changes in local business taxes and regulations.
Here are some examples of how a business vote might work:
• A resident of Saanich owns a retail store in Victoria, and through their business they annually pay $20,000 in taxes to the City of Victoria. Since the Saanich resident's business operates only in Victoria, its owner has an interest in the prosperity of both the city's business community and its people. As such, this individual would be entitled to one vote on behalf of their business.
• The CEO of McDonald's lives in the US and is the legal representative for 10 franchise restaurants in Victoria. Even though McDonald's pays taxes to the city, its interests are not specific to one location, and so it does not need to vote.
• A resident of Victoria owns a business within the city. As they are already entitled to one vote as a resident, they do not need one on behalf of their business.
• A non-resident property owner is still entitled to one vote regardless of whether or not they own a business.
While in office I would work with the rest of Council city's legal Council to try to develop a realistic plan for the local restoration of the business vote. This plan would need to respect the rights of non-resident small business owners while avoiding local interference from big businesses.
A summary of the Victoria Chamber of Commerce position on this issue can be found here: http://www.victoriachamber.ca/img/content/Policies/19.pdf
A Wisdom Council is a group of 12 -15 people, chosen from an institution, city or province by a process of random selection. So far, there have been two Victoria Wisdom Councils, with another for Fernwood. These have been the first of their kind in Canada.
This process provides an outlet for the concerns of average citizens instead of neighbourhood associations, representatives, or community organizers. I believe that coupled with more traditional programs the Wisdom Council process can be an important amplifier to the voice of Victoria.
To begin assessing this opportunity, I have requested a budget outline from the Wisdom Council organizers, and have brought together several candidates with organizers of Wise Democracy Victoria to discuss various possibilities involving this idea.
To learn more visit: http://wisedemocracyvictoria.wetpaint.com/?t=anon
If you have any questions about this page, or anything else on my website, please don't hesitate to email me at simonnattrass@gmail.com
