Lena Ling: An open letter to first-time voters
This is an open letter to anyone who was born on or before November 15, 1996, but especially those voting for the first time. It is your democratic right and privilege to be able to vote. You may be thinking to yourself: “I don’t know who to vote for!” or “What are the issues?” Regardless, the thing you should understand is: the municipal level of government is the level of government that affects your life the most! Everything from how often your garbage is picked up to your commute to and from home. And if you decide to buy property in Vancouver, the policies and decisions the city makes will affect your day to day living for the next four years (and maybe beyond that).
You don’t have to know all of the issues that are being discussed during the election. When you vote, you will be asked to choose: one mayor, up to 10 councillors, up to nine school trustees, and up to seven park board members. I encourage you to read up on the candidates and decide who your values align with. Contact the candidates and ask them questions.
There will also be a few close-ended (yes/no) questions asking you about how you feel money should be spent in the city—things about the libraries, parks, transportation, community centres, and the like. I encourage you all to empower yourselves; we are getting closer to voting day. Do a little research. A good place to start is the city’s website (vancouver.ca). Keep in mind that everything is coloured with its own bias. Use a critical eye and ask yourself: does this make sense? Does this person really want to make my city better? Is this person in it for other reasons? What was this person’s track record?
I am running for city council because I want Vancouver to be an affordable place to live, where decisions are transparently made in the best interest of its citizens. I hope to work collaboratively on council to facilitate informed decisions that will enable Vancouver to thrive as a city that is inclusive and prosperous for all.
I encourage all Vancouverites to read up, ask good questions, be active citizens, and exercise your right to vote! If you choose to put an “X” next to my name, I appreciate your support! If I’m not the candidate for you, that’s okay; I am glad knowing that you made an informed decision to make it out to the polls and voted for the candidate you believed could represent your ideals, and make this city the best place for you to live!
Comments
3 Comments
Jesus Gonzalez
Oct 22, 2014 at 10:23am
Except you have not clearly defined how you will achieve that or if it even possible for a local government to do.
It would require the Federal Government working together to make it happen, e.g., stop foreign (mostly from Communist China & Hong Kong) speculators from parking their money in housing here driving prices up beyond affordable for the average Canadian.
This is happening in all major Cities in Canada.
An independent candidate vote is wasted in reality but it does give you a job for which you would be able to do or achieve little towards housing affordability in metro Vancouver.
No Thanks.
RBM
Oct 23, 2014 at 12:39pm
The slate system is toxic on the municipal level. Independent voices would be a welcome change to city hall and I for one (vote) am impressed you are running.
Wow
Oct 27, 2014 at 11:56am
I first ran on 1996 at 18, not with the Salmi beer bribe. - @GZLFB