Slates have
no place in
our local
government
Local Election Day:
Saturday, October 17
Questions to ask before you vote:
How can a slate with candidates from similar backgrounds and with similar viewpoints represent the breadth of people and opinions in the District? Our democracy is healthier when council has diversity.
If elected, would the slate always vote in line with their own agenda or would they be able to balance competing priorities that consider the needs of everyone in Saanich and future challenges? What if they hold a majority vote on council?
If a slate only campaigns on a narrow range of issues, much like a special interest group, how can we know how they will vote on issues outside their group’s purview? Will they all vote in the same way?
What is a slate?
In BC local elections, a slate (legally known as an 'elector organization' or civic political party) is a group of candidates who pool their campaign money, share a brand, and run on a coordinated platform.
While some groups try to avoid the word 'slate' by calling themselves a 'team' or an 'elector organization,' the result is exactly the same: a voting bloc. When candidates share a campaign machine and pre-agree on their policies, they cannot come to public hearings with genuinely open minds. Saanich needs independent voices, not civic political parties.
What can I do?
Most importantly, on election day, if you see "Save our Saanich" beside a candidate's name, don't mark that box. There are 27 candidates running for council. Saanich has a candidate guide with information on each of them. Vote for the people who you think will best bring diverse viewpoints to decision-making on the issues facing our community.