Vancouver Civic Election 2022

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Kennedy Stewart ran on changing the council structure to a ward system in 2018. He still wants to do it based on a recent interview.

As for the Park Board, I support folding them into a City department, like the rest of North America.

But to do either requires Sim to run for premier, not mayor, and I think he knows it.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

But to do either requires Sim to run for premier, not mayor, and I think he knows it.

If the City wants to do something like this with duly elected councillors, the Province would be foolish to stand in their way. See: Surrey policing.

Furthermore, nobody runs for provincial office with those platforms, let's be realistic.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

If the City wants to do something like this with duly elected councillors, the Province would be foolish to stand in their way. See: Surrey policing.

Furthermore, nobody runs for provincial office with those platforms, let's be realistic.

Yeah well, Surrey doesn't have legislation that explicitly states they need Mounties as a police force. Sure, nobody runs for premier with this stuff in mind, but only the province can rewrite the Vancouver Charter.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

Yeah well, Surrey doesn't have legislation that explicitly states they need Mounties as a police force. Sure, nobody runs for premier with this stuff in mind, but only the province can rewrite the Vancouver Charter.

Surrey needed provincial approval to change their police force. I'm just disproving your argument, that's all.

Running a campaign around reforming/removing the Park Board and going to a ward system (which Vancouver has had previously) are perfectly reasonable things for a Mayoral candidate to propose.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Surrey needed provincial approval to change their police force. I'm just disproving your argument, that's all.

Running a campaign around reforming/removing the Park Board and going to a ward system (which Vancouver has had previously) are perfectly reasonable things for a Mayoral candidate to propose.

And Vancouver will need provincial approval to change the Charter, which specifies a Parks Board that exists independently of City Hall; that's the argument.

Huh, you learn something new every day. Though now that makes Sim's pitch stupid from another direction: five wards aren't gonna cut it in 2021.

[chowhou]

I don't personally understand the desire for a "ward" system in Vancouver. I thought we already had a system called Metro Vancouver with "wards" such as "Vancouver", "Surrey", "Port Coquitlam", "Tsawwassen", and "Belcarra". It's already hard enough to get different municipalities to agree on policy (see the North Shore and housing policy, historically Burnaby + Richmond on Translink policy, West Vancouver on every policy...), why do people want to decentralize further? It just seems like a trojan horse NIMBY strategy to ensure that certain NIMBY wards (West Point Grey-Kits, Dunbar-Southlands, Shaughnessy-Cambie) are guaranteed NIMBY councillors by drowning out the local minority.

[Feathered Friend]

Mike Howell: Nine Vancouver council incumbents to seek re-election in 2022
COPE Coun. Jean Swanson: 'I haven't decided yet if I'll run again or not'
Mike Howell Mike Howell

I contacted all of them Dec. 14 via a blanket email, followed by texts and direct messages to those who didn’t meet my deadline; Coun. Rebecca Bligh would only confirm she is seeking re-election while Sarah Kirby-Yung didn’t respond before this column was posted.

Coun. Colleen Hardwick: “I am going to run for a [mayoral] nomination with the new TEAM for a Livable City Association in Q1 of 2022. Presuming I am successful in winning a nomination, I will run again together with a TEAM of strong candidates to course-correct the direction of the city.

Green Party Coun. Pete Fry: “Yes, I intend to seek re-election in 2022. "

COPE Coun. Jean Swanson: “I haven’t decided yet if I’ll run again or not."

Green Party Coun. Adriane Carr: “I plan to run again in 2022."

Green Party Coun. Michael Wiebe: “I will be seeking re-election in 2022.”

Coun. Lisa Dominato (independent): "Yes. I can be trusted to lead with integrity and common sense. ”

OneCity Coun. Christine Boyle: “I am running for re-election in 2022 to continue to lead on climate action, on affordable housing and on building a city that works for all of us."

NPA Coun. Melissa De Genova: “I’m committed to making Vancouver a safe, family-friendly city — and that starts with affordability. I’ve fought hard to make it quicker and easier to build affordable housing and for 24-hour childcare. These are baby steps, but I’m excited to do more.”

Their full statements can be found at
https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/local...2-politics-mayor-kennedy-stewart-4889217

[Bcasey25raptor]

Originally Posted by rofina

That's so wild to me.

I mean this respectfully, but do you not do your own deep dive to make sure the candidate actually makes sense?

With an incumbent, history is clear to see, and in my mind would be the most relevant factor.

It's far too difficult to monitor every single candidate and their beliefs since many just spew platitudes that are meaningless. Candidates endorsed by Unions I can be assured will be on the side of workers and progressivism, I don't agree with all their picks, I voted Greens last election, not a single Green will get my vote this election.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by chowhou

I don't personally understand the desire for a "ward" system in Vancouver. I thought we already had a system called Metro Vancouver with "wards" such as "Vancouver", "Surrey", "Port Coquitlam", "Tsawwassen", and "Belcarra". It's already hard enough to get different municipalities to agree on policy (see the North Shore and housing policy, historically Burnaby + Richmond on Translink policy, West Vancouver on every policy...), why do people want to decentralize further? It just seems like a trojan horse NIMBY strategy to ensure that certain NIMBY wards (West Point Grey-Kits, Dunbar-Southlands, Shaughnessy-Cambie) are guaranteed NIMBY councillors by drowning out the local minority.

I believe that's the intent, yes - the proponents are all the usual suspects. Though seeing as the planned boundaries only give the NIMBYs 2-3 out of 10 votes (less if there's only five wards), it probably won't go the way they think it will.

[theman23]

The new 25 cent tax on reusable cups is coming in January 1 - I assume this will apply to coffee and fast food places mostly? Seems odd that they’re going forward with this because most places I frequent are still not allowing reusable cups out of concern for COVID.

[Feathered Friend]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

I believe that's the intent, yes - the proponents are all the usual suspects. Though seeing as the planned boundaries only give the NIMBYs 2-3 out of 10 votes (less if there's only five wards), it probably won't go the way they think it will.

To be fair, that map was drawn up in 1988, so it's more likely a ward map would look something like the current provincial boundaries. That would probably be even worse news for those opposed to growing the urban form.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by theman23

The new 25 cent tax on reusable cups is coming in January 1 - I assume this will apply to coffee and fast food places mostly? Seems odd that they’re going forward with this because most places I frequent are still not allowing reusable cups out of concern for COVID.

I think you mean single use cups.

I agree with the COVID issue it's bad timing, and there's no good solution for mobile apps.

On top of that, it's actually just a fee the store gets to keep, not a true tax that will flow to the government.

[Feathered Friend]

Metro Vancouver residents support extending municipal vote to legal immigrants: poll
By Mario Canseco | December 23, 2021, 6:00am

When Research Co. and Glacier Media recently asked Metro Vancouverites about allowing Canadians aged 16 and 17 to participate in municipal elections, two in five (41%) were in favour and more than half (51%) were against.

In stark contrast, 71% of Metro Vancouverites think permanent residents of Canada aged 18 and over should be allowed to vote in municipal elections, while only 22% are opposed to this idea.

As we get close to the actual start of municipal campaigns, housing is identified as the most important concern for Metro Vancouverites (31%), followed by COVID-19 (24%), property taxes (10%), climate change (7%) and drug overdoses (6%).

There are some significant fluctuations when the results in specific municipalities are analyzed. In Burnaby, housing is, by far, the prevalent concern (45%). In Surrey, crime is the most important issue for 12% of residents, well ahead of the regional average of 5%.

In Vancouver, 57% of residents are satisfied with the job Kennedy Stewart has done, up five points since January 2020. The numbers are stable for Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley (51%, unchanged). In Surrey, the situation is drastically different. Only 30% of the city’s residents approve of the way Doug McCallum is handling his duties, down 20 points in almost two years.

The results are similar when residents of these three major cities are asked about their incumbent mayors seeking a new term in office in 2022. Just under half of those in Burnaby and Vancouver (48% and 47% respectively) would give Hurley and Stewart four more years. In Surrey, practically three in five residents (59%) believe it is time for someone other than McCallum to be at the helm

More interesting data to had at
https://biv.com/article/2021/12/metro-va...ing-municipal-vote-legal-immigrants-poll

[chowhou]

Originally Posted by Feathered Friend

More interesting data to had at
https://biv.com/article/2021/12/metro-va...ing-municipal-vote-legal-immigrants-poll

So much for crime and "Law & Order" being hot ticket items.

If Stewart keeps up those numbers we'll be seeing a second term too.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Hold up, if PRs can vote, exactly why should they need to get citizenship? While we're at it, what's stopping a rival state from directly interfering with Canadian politics (a la Crimea)? We already saw it last election.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

Hold up, if PRs can vote, exactly why should they need to get citizenship? While we're at it, what's stopping a rival state from directly interfering with Canadian politics (a la Crimea)? We already saw it last election.

Why do you think PRs need to get citizenship? I have a friend who is German, married to a Canadian. He has lived here since he was at University 30 years ago, has worked here ever since, paid taxes here, had a family here. But the 'German rules on citizenship are based on the principle of avoiding dual citizenship' and he doesn't wish to give up German citizenship. So he has never been able to vote in elections, despite being actively involved in the community. There's no requirement to become a citizen, and no benefit to where he lives for him not to be allowed to vote in local elections.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by Changing City

Why do you think PRs need to get citizenship? I have a friend who is German, married to a Canadian. He has lived here since he was at University 30 years ago, has worked here ever since, paid taxes here, had a family here. But the 'German rules on citizenship are based on the principle of avoiding dual citizenship' and he doesn't wish to give up German citizenship. So he has never been able to vote in elections, despite being actively involved in the community. There's no requirement to become a citizen, and no benefit to where he lives for him not to be allowed to vote in local elections.

Meaning that if this rolls out, PRs have all the rights that citizens do and have no incentive whatsoever to upgrade. Sure, it 🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵 for your friend, but what's stopping a less scrupulous person from double-dipping? It'd be better to pressure Germany and other countries to accept dual.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

Meaning that if this rolls out, PRs have all the rights that citizens do and have no incentive whatsoever to upgrade. Sure, it 🞵🞵🞵🞵🞵 for your friend, but what's stopping a less scrupulous person from double-dipping? It'd be better to pressure Germany and other countries to accept dual.

Unless I'm missing something, there's not a great deal of benefit or incentive anyway? as a citizen they would have to apply for a Canadian passport to travel anywhere outside the US, (and a Canadian passport can be easier at the US border, I think). They wouldn't need a Permanent Resident card, which they require if they want to travel outside Canada. And they could vote, stand for election, and potentially get called up for jury service. Unless I'm missing something, that's about it. Except, ironically, as a Canadian citizen they could then move somewhere else for as long as they liked (that would allow them to live there), and still have the right to move back to Canada. (PR status requires them to stay in Canada a majority of the time). What would double dipping entail? (If I'm reading this correctly, the change would only be to allow voting in local elections, not Provincial or national).

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by Changing City

Unless I'm missing something, there's not a great deal of benefit or incentive anyway? as a citizen they would have to apply for a Canadian passport to travel anywhere outside the US, (and a Canadian passport can be easier at the US border, I think). They wouldn't need a Permanent Resident card, which they require if they want to travel outside Canada. And they could vote, stand for election, and potentially get called up for jury service. Unless I'm missing something, that's about it.

I think we're talking past each other. That's what I'm trying to say: at this point, the right to vote is pretty much the only reason to become a citizen.

Without that, why naturalize? Why choose to be Canadian when you can keep your existing nationality and still enjoy all the benefits? This basically makes PRs into "fair weather" citizens.

Originally Posted by Changing City

(If I'm reading this correctly, the change would only be to allow voting in local elections, not Provincial or national).

That's a problem in itself; we already had a possible attempt to buy votes for pro-CCP candidates in Richmond, and another to coerce the Indian immigrant community in Surrey. The consequences of anybody who's been here 5+ years being allowed to vote may be... unpleasant.

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

I think we're talking past each other. That's what I'm trying to say: at this point, the right to vote is pretty much the only reason to become a citizen.

Without that, why naturalize? Why choose to be Canadian when you can keep your existing nationality and still enjoy all the benefits? This basically makes PRs into "fair weather" citizens.

OK - I guess where we differ is whether that's really why someone switches from being a PR to a citizen. I don't see it being that big an incentive.

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

That's a problem in itself; we already had a possible attempt to buy votes for pro-CCP candidates in Richmond, and another to coerce the Indian immigrant community in Surrey. The consequences of anybody who's been here 5+ years being allowed to vote may be... unpleasant.

I think that's neither here nor there; the pool of people whose votes a bad actor might try to influence would be fractionally bigger, but those events were trying to change the votes of citizens, so the problem needs addressing anyway.

And having debated the issue, I'm happy to acknowledge we have differing opinions on the topic, and move on.