GET OUT AND VOTE TODAY

We owe a debt of gratitude to the 3,315 men and women who put their names forward for public office in local government and school board elections across B.C. today.

These candidates walked miles canvassing neighbourhoods door to door, shared visions of good civic government in often sparsely attended town hall meetings and debates, and even endured toxic trolls on social media.

The least we can do to recognize their commitment is set aside a few minutes today to cast ballots at a polling station. (Unless you live in Lytton, Radium Hot Springs, Zeballos, or Highlands, the four places where the entire municipal councils were elected by acclamation because not enough candidates stepped up.)

Still unconvinced?

Then consider that the mayors, councillors and school trustees elected to four-year terms in these 252 jurisdictions greatly influence your quality of life.

Residential property taxes vary significantly across Metro Vancouver, but this year the average homeowner in the region was billed $4,021 for municipal services. In total, 20 Metro municipalities collected $3.5 billion from residential homeowners to pay for vital services such as police and fire protection and garbage collection. Plus infrastructure such as roads, sewers and water lines, parks, libraries and recreation centres.

An additional $1.7 billion in school taxes was collected from these same property owners in 2018 — $1,532 on the average home — to help pay for teachers, support staff and schools.

Public opinion polls consistently rate housing affordability as the biggest concern for Metro residents.

The mayors and councils we elect today will be responsible for local land-use, planning and transportation decisions that will have a dramatic impact on the cost and quality of housing long after their four-year mandates expire.

Voter turnout in the City of Vancouver in the 2014 election was 43 per cent — an improvement over the 35 per cent turnout in 2011 — bucking the B.C. trend in municipal elections where participation is notoriously low.

But even 43 per cent is a poor showing given the important role that civic officials play in our lives.

Take time today to fill out a ballot and send a message that local government matters.