This week at city council, several election-related topics are up for discussion including election sign regulations, upgrades on voting equipment and a federal election fund.
Richmond's city council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday, June 11 in council chambers at 6911 No. 3 Rd. The public is welcome to attend or watch an online broadcast of the meeting. Here’s a deeper look at these agenda items:
Election sign regulations
Often, the key to a successful campaign for a candidate is name recognition which is achieved through advertising. Currently, the city has an election and political signs bylaw to regulate signage.
However, this stand-alone, election-specific bylaw does not follow the city’s 2017 sign regulation bylaw which prohibits flashing signs, inflatable signs and signs located on rooftops, vehicles and shipping containers.
City staff are now recommending that the election-specific sign bylaw be changed to include these same limitations.
Upgrades to local voting equipment
Under one agenda item called “housekeeping updates to civic election administration,” staff have highlighted the need to update city bylaws on vote counting and campaign financing.
In this year’s election, vote counting equipment is expected to be upgraded. Previously, a 25-year-old vote counting system was used for all elections between 1993 and 2014. However, with this new equipment, voters will have to mark their ballot differently, by filling in an oval instead of using an arrow.
The changes to campaign financing are included simply because the province now regulates access to campaign financing. This means the city does not need to be responsible for providing electronic access to campaign disclosure statements.
Federal advocacy fund for 2019 election
Richmond is part of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and has been asked to contribute $20,800 over two years to a Special Advocacy Fund. The goal of the fund would be to “ensure that every federal party is keenly aware of municipal priorities heading into Election 2019, as well as in the crucial first months of a new government,” says a city staff report.
“According to FCM, the Special Advocacy Fund will drive their largest and most ambitious campaign ever, reaching out to every federal party. It means an intensive, multi-faceted strategy that integrates polling, detailed platform development, sustained outreach and an innovative communications and media plan that will keep municipal priorities front and center heading into Election 2019.”
While city staff recommend contributing to the fund, it is voluntary.
Besides election details, other items on the agenda include:
- An update on the Seniors Service Plan and the Youth Service Plan
- Land use applications for discussion at a July 16 public hearing for 7460 and 7480 Railway Ave., 8071 and 8091 Park Rd. and 6340 No. 3 Rd.
- A request to host the RCMP Musical Ride on Aug. 14
- A request to host the Garden City Lands Farmers Market on Aug. 11
- An application by Ibi Group on behalf of Goodwyn Enterprises to amend the Official Community Plan and rezoning AT 7111, 7451 and 7531 Elmbridge Way, 7600, 7640, 7671 and 7880 Alderbridge Way, 5751 and 5811 Cedarbridge Way, 5003 Minoru Boulevard
