For the municipal elections in the Greater Victoria area of British Columbia, a group calling itself Voters for a Responsible Community drew up a lengthy pre-election questionnaire with some 100 questions on possible policy initiatives, which was circulated to all candidates. In Victoria, 70 per cent of the candidates responded. Five of the seven subsequently elected indicated they would support initiatives for:
- Bike Lanes;
- A Council of Elders;
- A Greening of Businesses;
- The phasing out of the city's use of toxic pesticides and herbicides;
- The development of a rapid light rail transit scheme;
- Environmentally friendly sewage treatment facilities;
- A permanent elected youth council.
The task of achieving such an agenda would be massive, with each proposal involving research, meetings and a mass of paperwork. But a host of community and environmental groups could work with the council on these issues.
For those who might be wondering 'Could we do this ourselves?' here are some of the nuts and bolts:
- In August 1990 a 'Green City' meeting shared in a large circle their personal visions of a 'Green Victoria' and then ideas for turning visions into action.
- In September, a second community meeting resulted in the choice of twelve questionnaire areas, and the establishment of working groups and a committee. An auction of promises raised $500 ('I'll cook an evening meal for four people'; 'I'll do a water-colour painting of your house'). Another $500 came from a donation.
- The committee met at least weekly until the November elections. A Consistency Committee spent hours scanning, screening and polishing the questions. A draft questionnaire was delivered by hand to 100 local groups inviting their endorsement within five days, and their advice on major errors or omissions. The questionnaire was printed and delivered by hand to every candidate for office. In the week that followed, the committee members phoned every candidate to deal with questions and to encourage them to deliver or fax their response sheet. This consisted of a score-box for each of the twelve areas, scoring A = 2, B = 1, C = 0, D = -1, where A = 'active support,' B = 'would vote for this,' C = 'I don't know,' D = 'I would vote against.'
A computer database should have been used to record the scores, as hours were spent checking and re-checking the 8,000+ responses for errors.
The scoring system was probably critical in winning the attention of the media, without which the whole campaign might have failed. The media credibility may have persuaded some candidates to answer.
With this exercise, every candidate for office was educated, and their sights were raised in a very cost-effective way. A wide cross-section of the community was helped to articulate a comprehensive vision for the future of the region; and the published results provide a powerful lever for people who wish to see a more socially and environmentally responsible Victoria.
- A 26 page report is available for $2-80 from Voters for a Responsible Community, 202 Montreal St, Victoria, BC V8V 1Z2, Canada (tel 604 384 2878; fax 604 592 4473).
- Guy Dauncey, 2069 Kings Road, Victoria, BC V8R 2P6, Canada (tel 604 592 4472 h; 592 4473 w, tel and fax).