Election day is Saturday, October 15, 2022. Please vote, it’s important! Here’s some basic info to help.

Civic elections across British Columbia are on Saturday, October 15, 2022.

Our next chance will be in four years (distant future, 2026!) to choose Vancouver’s mayor, 10 city councillors, 7 park board commissioners, and 9 school trustees. Every vote counts, so please do vote if you have not done so yet! And bring along everyone you know. Even a few votes could mean the difference between a person being elected and not.

When you see the ballot, you will find a bewildering number of candidates to choose from (137 in total). You will see both independents and party slates (ABC/Sim, COPE, Forward/Stewart, Greens, NPA/Harding, OneCity, Progress Vancouver/Marissen, TEAM for a Livable Vancouver/Hardwick, Vote Socialist, and even Vision Vancouver again). Some of the parties have already declared alliances.

Deciding who to vote for can be tough, it could help to think about majorities who could effectively govern. Do you feel the incumbents (many seeking re-election) have served the West End (and the whole city) well from 2018 to 2022? How has the City performed in implementing the West End Community Plan (adopted 2013)? Is it making life better here? What issues are you and your neighbours concerned about? (See below for some questions to consider.) Many policies and decisions affecting us happen at the provincial, federal and international levels. But it is our own municipal government that most affects us in day-to-day life. Besides selecting our politicians, this ballot also includes Capital Plan three yes/no borrowing questions for the $495 million Capital Plan for 2023-2026 for facilities and infrastructure.

City’s official website for the election, including voting times and places, candidates and more (including a “Plan Your Vote” app): https://vancouver.ca/vote

Civic affairs watcher David Fine has created quite a concise list of questions that could help you to decide who NOT to vote for. The tone is somewhat tongue-in-cheek, but each line is based on real track records, facts, and promises. This is not a WEN endorsement, but it is certainly good food for thought:

https://tinrobot.medium.com/who-not-to-vote-for-in-vancouvers-2022-election-3d2c4c4ad92d

Also for reference, the Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods (CVN) of which WEN is a member, has issued this:
Coalition of Vancouver Neighbourhoods (CVN) statement on the 2022 Election
https://coalitionvan.org/posts/2022-09-28-statement-on-election/

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Thought-starters

Noise, crime, traffic, parking, construction, garbage, and poo on the streets.
Are sidewalks getting fixed?
Is traffic backing up on West End streets because the city has closed so many accesses?
Did the West End Plan do what it was supposed to do?
Has your own housing situation improved?
How did the West End fare through Covid?
Are bikeways being well used?
Is there a balance in street use for all users?
How have changes in Stanley Park affected West End residents?
Has the City made it easy for local businesses survive?
Is the city doing anything to re-instate the water features shut off all over the West End?
Are you happy with progress in upgrading public facilities like the West End Community Centre and Aquatic Centre?
Has the City managed all the demolition, digging, truck traffic, construction to minimize disruptions on West End residents?