Metro Vancouver 2011 Civic Election Thread

whatnext · #1 Posted **Jan 7, 2011, 8:21 AM**

Too soon? It is election year after all, and the Calgary forum had theirs going over a year ahead of time!

I assume in the city that Vision will be running the same slate. Who will the NPA's mayoral candidate be? Will COPE join the contest for mayor, or dwindle into oblivion as Vision's junior partner?

Any predictions for the 'burbs?

whatnext · #2 Posted **Jan 14, 2011, 9:41 PM**

Hmm, I guess it is too soon for most people.

Anyway, I was interested to see both Surrey and Vancouver pushing for internet voting, though it won't happen this time around. I'm ambivalent: is it really that hard to take 15 minutes out of your day to walk to a polling station?

whatnext · #3 Posted **Feb 5, 2011, 9:31 PM**

This week's BIV has a poll showing 59% of Vancouver business leaders disapprove of Gregor Robertson's administration, up from 36% a year ago. The Ipsos-Reid pollster refers to that level as "horrific".

Millennium2002 · #4 Posted **Feb 5, 2011, 11:48 PM**

It sounds funny... but for density it may be wise to keep Gregor. I'm pretty sure that may become one of the bigger issues this year if any of the development companies interested in the higher sites start launching their proposals around now or near election time and the residents of Downtown decide to fight back.

whatnext · #5 Posted **Feb 10, 2011, 6:26 AM**

I see Peter Ladner is one of the speakers at the "Vancouver Not Vegas" forum against the Edgewater Casino expansion. http://www.news1130.com/news/local/a...nents-speak-up

Possibly positioning for a council seat this fall?

whatnext · #6 Posted **Apr 16, 2011, 4:15 PM**

Looks like Mike Klassen from Citycaucus is getting ready to throw his hat into the ring as an NPA candidate for council:
http://www.citycaucus.com/2011/04/wh...r-city-council

s211 · #7 Posted **Apr 16, 2011, 10:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatnext

This week's BIV has a poll showing 59% of Vancouver business leaders disapprove of Gregor Robertson's administration, up from 36% a year ago. The Ipsos-Reid pollster refers to that level as "horrific".

Just as horrific as him being voted in the last go-around.

WBC · #8 Posted **Apr 17, 2011, 1:08 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatnext

Hmm, I guess it is too soon for most people.

Anyway, I was interested to see both Surrey and Vancouver pushing for internet voting, though it won't happen this time around. I'm ambivalent: is it really that hard to take 15 minutes out of your day to walk to a polling station?

It is as a matter of principle. Our governments at all levels need to get with the times and at the same time re-engage the electorate. Internet voting should be implemented ASAP and this Victorian time paper based voting put to rest (they should probably keep a few stations open for the traditionalists). That would enable us to engage in more direct democracy and for example deal with hot button issues like HST immediately as opposed to making a 2 year circus out of it. Not to mention save a whole lot of money in the long run. I mean what issues are we dealing with in 2011? Recounts??? Really?!? In 2011 we have to have people manually counting votes cast on a piece of paper?!?

And don't get me going on medical records, border crossing, government issued IDs, tax collection, etc. We are way behind times on all of those compared to most developed countries (aside from the States that chose to be ass backwards because some dude win baggy pants in 18th century didn't have a foresight to put the word computer in the declaration of independence).

Now this was a good rant...

whatnext · #9 Posted **Apr 17, 2011, 1:22 AM**

I just feel its too open to manipulation. And those who could manipulate it the easiest would be those with close connections to big corporations IMHO. Read up on Diebold and the GOP.

invisibleairwaves · #10 Posted **Apr 17, 2011, 5:30 AM**

There's no point in switching to online voting just for the sake of looking like we're "getting with the times". What real, concrete benefits does online voting offer that outweigh the massive risk of tampering? A few minutes saved from an already rather simple and quick voting process?

Any voting system that lacks a paper trail is a mistake, as the US is discovering the hard way.

whatnext · #11 Posted **Apr 19, 2011, 6:36 PM**

It is official. ^

After nearly three years of poking sharp sticks at the Vision Vancouver council of Mayor Gregor Robertson, Citycaucus.com blogger Mike Klassen has announced he will seek a Non-Partisan Association nomination for city council.
http://communities.canada.com/vancou...r-council.aspx

Now its wait and see if Suzanne Anton will run for mayor.

jlousa · #12 Posted **Apr 19, 2011, 6:54 PM**

I don't mind her on council but I wouldn't want her as mayor. Would've loved to see Michael Geller take a run but it's not in the cards, a shame Carole Taylor is tied up, she would've been great.

wrenegade · #13 Posted **Apr 20, 2011, 8:52 PM**

I agree I like Suzanne Anton on council but I wouldn't want her as mayor. I'd LOVE to see Michael Geller take a run, or Rob McDonald (as was rumoured a few weeks back). Good to see that Klassen is running for council.

whatnext · #14 Posted **Apr 29, 2011, 4:59 AM**

COPE continues its march towards total irrelevance by announcing they will be cooperating with Vision on candidates again, and not even bothering to field a mayoralty candidiate. I guess that's what happens when your crazed hippie base starts to die off.

http://www.news1130.com/news/local/a...civic-election

jlousa · #15 Posted **Apr 29, 2011, 5:07 AM**

Kind of surprising, I figured Vision upset enough people on the left for Cope to entertain running a full slate. Vision and Cope certainly seem to be growing more apart then together lately. I wonder if they are that scared of vote splitting and the NPA getting back in.

whatnext · #16 Posted **May 18, 2011, 2:15 PM**

Suzanne Anton is going after Gregor's job.

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/cou...504/story.html

WarrenC12 · #17 Posted **May 18, 2011, 3:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by whatnext

Suzanne Anton is going after Gregor's job.

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/cou...504/story.html

Interesting. IMO she's done a pretty crappy job of opposing the Mayor this year. Like voting with Vision/COPE then coming out later saying she didn't agree...

whatnext · #18 Posted **May 18, 2011, 4:54 PM**

Actually if your read her record, she'd be an abvious choice for SSPers to support: she argued for a 60 story tower to accompany the VAG on the Larwill Park site; dropping height restrictions on the Cambie Corridor etc.

GMasterAres · #19 Posted **May 18, 2011, 5:41 PM**

With regards to online voting, it isn't a simple task as just "pushing a button" and getting it done. There are slews of legislature and law in place that have to be adjusted, negotiated, and tweaked on multiple levels of government. People that unfortunately have never worked in public sector need to learn about this little reality. Some may say it is pointless but the fact we have these laws in place is exactly the reason why each election we don't have a year following of calls regarding "voting corruption" or massive manipulation of the system on a regular basis.

If you think we do, just take a trip around most of the rest of the world. China, most of Africa, the Middle East, you name it. Our laws while they have a negativity in slowing some things down, do serve their purpose.

So re: Online voting, don't expect things to change over night. I've also worked in relation to multiple elections myself and without online voting it is quite an extensive process. Cities alone start planning and working on the election 1 to 1 1/2 years before the election. It takes that long just to get ready.

Try not to just throw sweeping opinions out there that have little basis in fact or reality. I'd love to be able to wiggle my nose and change law in 1 day but the consequences of that being a reality would be much more scary and dangerous than the consequences involved in having just a little patience.

SpongeG · #20 Posted **May 18, 2011, 8:27 PM**

so this woman wants to run for mayor???

comicsbulletin.com

haha everytime i hear that name all i can think of is her and why would she wanna be mayor of a city in canada