Meet fellow North Shore voters and read about why they vote:
“So many young people want to be heard. We have creative ideas, unique solutions, and we can be shameless idealists. When I was in grade 12 I had a special opportunity to be heard in one of the most basic forms our democracy knows: an election. I walked into the school gym and cast my ballot. While the party I supported didn’t win, what stung more was that many of my eligible peers hadn’t even bothered to cast a ballot at all. They were eligible, it couldn’t have been easier, and yet they hadn’t. This moment has led me to spend a significant portion of my education, and now my career, working with youth and young adults to better understand and advocate for the many ways young people can be heard by decision-makers. Voting continues to be one of the quickest, and simplest ways that we can have our say in our democracy. There are countless others, but along the way, just don’t forget the power of the ballot. There’s a provincial election coming up on Oct 24th – be heard.”
“Our communities face challenges that can sometimes seem insurmountable. I can honestly say I tend to push thoughts of these challenges aside most days because I can’t imagine a solution. There are many ways to create positive change; however, most direct actions require time, money, and other resources that most people are sorely lacking. Voting asks for a sliver of time with a huge potential for lasting impact. It reminds me that other people in my area see the issues and want to work together to find and enact solutions. I vote not because I “want the right to complain” as the refrain goes, but because I want to make things better for everyone, especially when I don’t know how to on my own.”
We are all naturally a part of this society which we regularly shape unceremoniously. I’m voting in the next election because I would like to see the protection of our environment and livelihoods being held in high regard by our next MLA, who will be instrumental in supporting or opposing the enactment of new legislation in BC.
I’m voting because our everyday actions are insignificant in comparison to fossil fuel companies that powerfully affect the future of climate change and the preservation of Indigenous lands. By prioritizing voting, our vote helps bring democracy right into our hold. I’m voting for democracy in casting my vote, in putting in the time to be thoughtful of my vote, and in encouraging others to participate. In times like these, it can be especially difficult to feel a sense of community. With that in mind, I hope that during this time, the number of voters will exceed our expectations and the North Shore will feel a sense of unity as we cast our vote for the care of our community and one another.”
“The last municipal election was my first time being of legal age to vote, and I remember it being such an empowering feeling when I cast my ballot. In the past four years, I’ve taken a greater interest in local issues and platforms, because I now realize how much they will impact my community and my future. I vote because I believe that it is just as (if not more) important to raise your voice on issues in your own backyard as it is to vote federally. I vote because we are so lucky to live in a place where we have the privilege of democracy, and I vote because each voice matters. In the words of Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” |
“I vote because I know how important it is for my voice to be a part of the democratic process. My studies in Political Science underscored for me the dangers of being apathetic and uninformed to the political world. While a vote may seem to matter little in the grand scheme of things, I still consider voting to be one of the most important act of democracy that we can take part in. This right is not extended to everyone in the world, we must not take it for granted. Democracy is a two-way street, for all the benefits it gives us, we must take the time to be informed and vote in elections for it to work. It doesn’t simply just happen. I highly encourage everyone to take the time get engaged and vote. Especially those in my generation. If we don’t use our voice and speak for our wants and needs. Someone else will do it for us. I understand that politics can sometimes be boring or complex, but there’s so many organizations out there trying to simplify and (dare I say) make politics exciting that there really is no excuse.” |
“As an immigrant I found here in Canada my voice will be heard and people by voting can shape the future of their city, province and country. Election is an important matter to me and around the time of election I always talk to my daughters which are 8 and 13 years old and teach them this is the way people can speak out in politics. We talk about the individual candidates and parties plans and what they are going to do if they elected, and I let them know which candidate or party is my favourite and why. We will go together to polling station and it is exciting for them as they help me to mark the ballot.” |
“I vote because so many queer people can’t around the world. My dad’s a trump supporter and my mom’s in love with Trudeau, so our family politics have always been diverse. We share different opinions, but always believed voting was necessary to show up. To stand up for what you believe in. Personally, my boyfriend and I have experienced a lot of homophobia having moved back into the city of North Vancouver. I believe it’s important to vote for candidates who take the actions you want them to. It’s our right to vote. And it’s our government’s responsibility to take care of our community, so I hope you choose to go to the polls and decide which people will take on that honourable role.” |
Voting in local elections matters to me. |
“My parents always voted and talked about the responsibility to vote in a democracy. I have always taken this responsibility seriously in elections at every level of government. I feel municipal elections are particularly important as municipal policy, by-laws, and initiatives directly impact me in daily life and how my community develops. Though I am committed to voting regardless, I am a strong supporter of electoral reform so that voting results in a more representative government. In addition, I believe if voters see an accurate reflection of political choice in government, this, in turn, will help restore engagement and confidence in the system.” |
“I grew up in North Vancouver and went to Handsworth Secondary School in the 1970’s. In grade 10 my social studies teacher was an immigrant from Germany who had fought for the Nazi’s in WWII. He was a young 18 year old soldier doing as he was told and had no idea about the atrocities taking place under the command of his senior officers. After the war, he married and moved to Canada and found out about the horrors of the Third Reich along with the rest of the world. He was devastated and realized that democracy was a very special right and that he would never take it for granted. He told this story to all of his students and encouraged us all to get informed and vote. He never wanted to see another ‘Hitler’ unleashed on the world. He used to say that as an individual one could have the most influence on local politics and that local government influenced your day to day life in profound ways. Growing up in a safe, privileged environment in North Vancouver was contrasted for me by my teacher’s story. I will always remember that it is a privilege to be able to vote and I will spend the time to get informed and exercise my right to vote because it’s my responsibility to the kind of community and country I want to live in.” |
“My parents always stressed the importance of voting and involved me in political discussions from a young age. They taught me that voting is not something to be taken for granted because not everyone in the world is able to take part in a democratic voting process. A lot of my friends don’t vote because they don’t think it makes a difference, but I think that if you’re living in a community it’s important to find ways to have your voice heard. It sounds cliché, but every vote counts. The people we elect have an impact on our day-to-day lives. Voting in municipal elections gives us an opportunity to really get involved with what’s going on right outside our door steps. I think what made my first time voting so significant was that I was allowed to do something that I couldn’t in the past. Since my parents have always been active voters and would take me with them when they would vote, I would wonder (when I was younger) why they were allowed to and I couldn’t. So, once I was old enough it was quite exciting for me to try it out. Also, when I turned 19 I wanted to do as many 19+ things I could do so I went to a casino, a bar, bought a lottery ticket and voted in the federal election. I think what made it challenging for me was trying to figure out which parties goals and objectives aligned with my own views. A lot of their platforms brought things up that hadn’t crossed my mind before so researching everything was a bit overwhelming at first.” |
“I am always so surprised when I meet people who do not vote. I really cannot understand why anyone would choose not to. Our older two children are both eligible to vote and we have always had family conversation about the importance of voting. While we don’t often go as a whole family to vote I have certainly taken the kids when they were eligible. |
“Our family became Canadian citizens on October 29, 2014. About two weeks later, we participated in municipal elections for the City of North Vancouver. My older son was more excited about being in the school gym at night, while his brother dozed in the stroller. Less than a year later, we cast ballots in the federal election – with the boys dutifully standing in line alongside us and asking questions about the process. They could feel this was important. Now consider that we came to Canada from the United States. We became Canadians while watching American politics unfold. In short, we were not going to take Canadian citizenship for granted! Nor should our children. So we teach our boys the importance of participating in decision making, of voicing an educated opinion, and of understanding all sides of an argument. Whether it is to vote on which ice cream to buy or argue the merits of a later bedtime, we are teaching our boys to have their say. That is what your voice is for.” |
“Municipal elections actually make a big difference to our lives in our local communities. Housing, recreation, transportation, emergency services, schools, the environment, even health care – local governments’ work touch on a lot of areas that affect our laws, government policies and decisions that impact our daily lives. So it’s surprising to see how few citizens – approximately 1 in 3 or 4 – who vote for their mayor, council and school board. I challenge all my fellow citizens. If you don’t vote, get informed and vote. If you do, great but take a step further and encourage those in your networks – family, friends, colleagues, neighbours – to get out and vote. Make a date to discuss issues, candidates and their positions. No excuses, just vote!” |