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COLUMN: Saving our democracy

Columnist ML Burke writes that voting matters more now than ever before
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(Black Press file photo)

Voting, does it really matter in the end?

Whether you are jaded by politics in general or just don’t care enough, I’m here to tell you your vote matters, and it matters more now than ever before because so much is at stake: for starters, this planet where you live.

Forty-three per cent of Delta’s citizens voted for our city government, which is better than the provincial average of only 36 per cent. I don’t understand why city elections draw fewer voters than provincial elections considering local elections affect us more directly than the actions of our senior governments.

For those who stepped up to run in Delta’s race, I applaud everyone who tried and congratulate all who were successful, including our new mayor, George Harvie. It’s no secret my vote went to Jim Cessford, but I’m not bitter. George won and Jim gave him a good race. I look forward to engaging Mayor Harvie and our new council on a few matters.

Here’s my list so far: to have an open mind about the bridge/tunnel issue after the [independent technical review] report is released, to seriously address river dredging and raising of the dikes, to lobby for the return of the 601 bus for seniors and commuters and — my favourite — Paterson Park and affordable housing, to have visioning workshops where the community can have real input into this unique parcel of available city-owned land.

I also believe charging “outsiders” more for using our rec facilities is confrontational and unnecessary because we all cross municipal boundaries to access services and events not available here. It’s time to be open and friendly so other cities will want to work with us.

Moving right along to our next test in saving democracy. Proportional representation (PR) doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, whereas first-past-the-post (FPTP) is plain English, plus it’s a system we already know. If it ain’t broke, don’t try to fix it. Well sorry folks but it is broken, and we have a small window of opportunity to fix it.

The Vote No side is ramping up the fear-mongering, saying it will allow extremists to take over, when actually the opposite is true. Two examples: Doug Ford in Ontario and Donald Trump.

Over 90 countries use a proportional voting system, including over 80 per cent of developed countries such as Germany, New Zealand, Sweden and Denmark. Oddly, Canada, the US and parts of the UK are the main outliers still using FPTP.

A PR system enables better decision making. Rather than each government reversing the policies of the previous one, there is more collaboration and continuity, resulting in more progress on long-term issues. Research also shows that countries with PR are more innovative.

“Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education,” said President Franklin D. Roosevelt

I hope you will give PR a chance. If you don’t like it after two election cycles, you’ll be able to vote on it again. As FDR said, the main thing is to do some homework. If you don’t know enough to answer the second question on the ballot, just answer the first.

ML Burke retired from the health sector to work on issues such as affordable housing. She sits on the Delta Seniors Planning Team and the BC Seniors Advocate’s Council of Advisors.



editor@northdeltareporter.com

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