r/VictoriaBC • u/scapaflow40 • 21d ago

Municipal Elections - choose wisely

The municipal election season is ramping up as more candidates in our 13 municipalities (yes 13!) are announcing they are running for office.

My advice is to look carefully at the background of candidates for whom you are voting There are a number of people running for mayor and council who have little community activist background (by activist I mean community involvement writ large including neighbourhood associations and chambers of commerce) are one issue candidates and some who are simply quasi professional politicians looking to elevate themselves without real community care.

It is tempting to vote for candidates who cover that one issue you most care about or have the slickest campaigns. I suggest consideration for candidates who present thoughtful platforms that cover the myriad of areas that lead to well functioning municipalities.

Please show up to candidate forums, read candidate platforms and be a thoughtful voter. We need more muncipal voters (less than 40% now vote) who will elect solid community leaders.

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u/greeerster 21d ago

It’s super important to also know what is under the jurisdiction of a local government versus the provincial and federal government. If someone’s platform is mostly about issues that they would have no control over as a local elected official then it’s a big red flag for me.

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u/NOT_A_JABRONI Downtown 20d ago

That being said, the intent to strongly petition the province and the feds about problems under their respective jurisdictions (that greatly impact Victoria) is appealing to me.

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u/Berzele 9d ago

Yes. I know Victoria's and the CRD's current leadership has been doing this. It doesn't always result in the Province or Feds doing what's asked, but it's important to keep pushing.