As much as Paul Bjarnason probably defutes (Where is democracy?, Burnaby NOW, Letters to the editor, June 6) the existence of democracy, it does exist.
There is the correct observance of a ruling party receiving 24 per cent of the electorate to govern. It is quite less at the civic level, where a mayor can win governing the city with less than 15 per cent of the electoral vote. With more than 145,000 registered voters, Mayor Derek Corrigan receives just over 24,000 votes. Such is the case here in Burnaby.
In 1996, the NDP received the majority of the popular vote, but the B.C. Liberals won the majority of seats. Is that democracy? Was it democracy when the NDP won in 1991? Was it democracy when the federal Liberals won in 2000? Now then, it is interesting that "democracy does not exist!" is heard when the B.C. Liberals or the Conservatives win via this convention, but when the NDP wins (as was the case in 1991, and 1996) or when the federal Liberals won (2000 and prior) there is this silence.
The entrance of Burnaby First Coalition to present school trustee candidates is hardly new. There has been school trustee candidates from every incarnation (BVNPA, Team Burnaby, Independent Voices and "Burnaby-what-we-label-ourselves-this-time") since the Burnaby Voters Association presented very credible candidates, one of whom led the B.C. School Trustees Association at one time and later became a councillor. What might be new is that finally maybe the forces opposing the long-standing NDP-affiliated Burnaby Citizens Association can actually succeed this time so that the BCA majority on both council and school board s finally diluted. But given the history of the opposing forces, there isn't much to hope for at this stage.
Consider that for far too long the opposing interests to the BCA that have successfully evolved in one label or another have been plagued with management fights, ego building, inability to work together as a cohesive team, some poor-quality candidates, and a few just plain dumb moves (such as an opposing mayor candidate going after Corrigan in which the opposition mayor candidate almost ended up being sued), sloppy research, and just plain poor presentations of stating sound workable policies and programs that the voters would like to see.
Plus, since I would admit Burnaby is in sound fiscal shape (save for a few potholes and being a bit too political and not being easy on the taxpayers), there isn't much reason for the voters to be mad enough to launch a long march forward to city hall with the virtual torches and pitchforks or make that trip to the polls in huge numbers of the kind we haven't seen in decades.
Democracy is out there. It does exist. Within it will be up to the candidates to sell themselves and prove that they are worthy of the vote and the dollars paid by the taxpayer to build and strengthen Burnaby.
A person to vote for is much better than voting against.
Myself, I look at a candidate and ask myself: Is this person worthy of voting for? Is this person actually going accomplish anything or is said person going to be complaining all the time? It's much easier to complain than to be the person who is part of making the decisions.
Yes, democracy does exist. It always has.
Sometimes you end up with very good politicians who serve the city and not political interest. Some advance to become statesmen (or stateswomen).
But it's the voters - the people who make it work. Decide to stay home (as many NDPers did in 2013, which resulted in the dramatic end)? Don't complain about the outcome. I've seen where just less than plus-five votes can make all the difference. I've seen where plus-one vote makes a difference.
Civic elections are actually the most important. It is at the civic level where decisions are made that affect our homes, our neighbourhood and our city. But it is also where one sees the worst participation rate, less than 35 per cent at the most.
Democracy is very much in existence. It is your choice, and your vote. If you mark a ballot.
As I've said heartily many times in my 30 years and 60 campaigns being out there on the streets for good candidates:
Don't forget to vote! Have a nice day!
Paul Keenleyside, Burnaby
