Lisa Barrett was the mayor of Bowen Island for two terms and is now running for Vancouver city council as a COPE candidate. She said the proximity between voters and decision-makers on the island means people believe their voices will be heard. In Vancouver, she said, people do not think politicians are listening. “I do get people saying, ‘I don’t vote. I’m sick and tired of it,’” she said. “I don’t blame them.” “The best thing I learned on Bowen Island is if you want higher engagement, you have to foster that environment where there is meaningful consultation and people can hear each other,” Ms. Barrett said.... However, the city (of Vancouver) has come under fire for failing to have advance polling stations in the Downtown Eastside and Grandview, and for leaving 1,069 Musqueam residents off the voter list during advance voting. “Maybe that was an oversight, but it does eliminate a certain segment of our population and it breeds cynicism,” Ms. Barrett said. “We have to do a better job.”
Posted on: Sat, 15 Nov 2014 07:01:02 +0000