Dear Editor:
The number still blows me away: 24 per cent. That is the percentage of Burnaby residents who voted in the 2008 civic election. It's low, extremely low. Ever since I threw in my hat to run for council, the number has been on my mind. How do we engage our residents in civic politics? How do we get people excited?
I believe the answer lies in the strength of our neighbourhoods. I have had the opportunity to visit some great communities, rallying around issues that matter to them. It is through these communities and their dedicated residents that I have learned there are no one-size-fits-all solutions at city hall.
We need to celebrate the diversity of our neighbourhoods and seek to represent their interests at city hall. We must encourage the development of neighbourhood associations where residents can come together and engage in their community. City hall must appreciate the diversity we have within our city and work with the neighbourhoods on solutions that fit their place and their people.
When communities become stronger, residents become more engaged, and we can only hope this means better engagement with civic politics.
Matthew Stuart, Burnaby Municipal Green Party
