WHISTLER - In one of the most fractious debates in recent history, elected politicians around B.C. are split over whether to extend their mandates to four-year terms. On Wednesday, an attempt by the Union of B.C. Municipalities to endorse - for the second time in three years - four-year civic election cycles fell apart as politicians called points of order, issued a challenge to the chairman leading the meeting, protested over one vote that was eventually ruled invalid, and were threatened with having the doors barred while a revote was to be taken. In the end, with many people palpably angry over the handling of the affair, the UBCM agreed to hold a formal paper ballot Thursday to once and for all decide the issue. The mishandling of the proposal revealed such a deep split that even Ben Stewart, the provincial minister of community and rural development appeared to step back over government support for four-year elections. He told reporters later that the government, which promised to move to four-year terms based on a previous UBCM resolution, will abide by whatever the convention ultimately decides. But he said the morning's heated debate reflected the feeling he's encountered talking to municipal politicians as he's traveled the province.
At the heart of the matter is a desire by many municipalities - mostly larger ones - to move to four-year elections rather than the current three. Elections are costly and many politicians said the extension would introduce stability. But smaller and rural communities believe going to four year terms would discourage young people from seeking office. It's also harder to recruit candidates in communities where populations are transient and dependent upon the vagaries of industrial operations like sawmills and mines. "We need to give people a solid term. What we're seeing now is people run, they get acquainted in the first year, they try to get something done in the second, there is a lot of volatility and the media are all over us tearing something apart and then in the third year you're struggling to get that implemented as you are running for the next election," said Vancouver Coun. Ellen Woodsworth. But Nakusp Coun. Joseph Hughes said it's hard to get people to run for office. "This is really going to stop young members from coming on board. Three years was really a stretch," he said. "If it was asking for four years, that is too far."
The debate roared back and forth before UBCM chairman Heath Slee called for a vote. The show of hands was so close he ordered a standing vote, and after nearly half an hour counting the hands, announced that the opponents had won 268-244. But almost immediately, arguments broke out again, with people challenging the results. Vancouver Coun. Raymond Louie pointed out that the doors to the convention hall should have been "tiled" or barred during the vote, and because of that some people who voted in a show of hands might not have been able to vote in the standing count and vice versa. When Slee agreed with Louie and ordered yet another vote, the hall nearly degenerated into a fight as people argued back and forth. One politician told the crowd that "you know, we're people who are supposed to know how to hold meetings."
Eventually, Kelowna Mayor Sharon Shepherd moved that the re-vote go to a formal paper ballot. But even that wish sparked protests. Eventually the UBCM executive agreed, setting the vote for Thursday morning. Stewart appeared frustrated by the fractious debate, especially since the UBCM's task force recommended the four year term."Certainly the government is looking for clear direction from the UBCM on both the change of election dates and the terms. I am going to have to wait for that," he said. "I think when these issues are split down the middle I am not certain we would agree to go ahead unless there is a clear indication there is support there."
At the heart of the matter is a desire by many municipalities - mostly larger ones - to move to four-year elections rather than the current three. Elections are costly and many politicians said the extension would introduce stability. But smaller and rural communities believe going to four year terms would discourage young people from seeking office. It's also harder to recruit candidates in communities where populations are transient and dependent upon the vagaries of industrial operations like sawmills and mines. "We need to give people a solid term. What we're seeing now is people run, they get acquainted in the first year, they try to get something done in the second, there is a lot of volatility and the media are all over us tearing something apart and then in the third year you're struggling to get that implemented as you are running for the next election," said Vancouver Coun. Ellen Woodsworth. But Nakusp Coun. Joseph Hughes said it's hard to get people to run for office. "This is really going to stop young members from coming on board. Three years was really a stretch," he said. "If it was asking for four years, that is too far."
The debate roared back and forth before UBCM chairman Heath Slee called for a vote. The show of hands was so close he ordered a standing vote, and after nearly half an hour counting the hands, announced that the opponents had won 268-244. But almost immediately, arguments broke out again, with people challenging the results. Vancouver Coun. Raymond Louie pointed out that the doors to the convention hall should have been "tiled" or barred during the vote, and because of that some people who voted in a show of hands might not have been able to vote in the standing count and vice versa. When Slee agreed with Louie and ordered yet another vote, the hall nearly degenerated into a fight as people argued back and forth. One politician told the crowd that "you know, we're people who are supposed to know how to hold meetings."
Eventually, Kelowna Mayor Sharon Shepherd moved that the re-vote go to a formal paper ballot. But even that wish sparked protests. Eventually the UBCM executive agreed, setting the vote for Thursday morning. Stewart appeared frustrated by the fractious debate, especially since the UBCM's task force recommended the four year term."Certainly the government is looking for clear direction from the UBCM on both the change of election dates and the terms. I am going to have to wait for that," he said. "I think when these issues are split down the middle I am not certain we would agree to go ahead unless there is a clear indication there is support there."
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