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Your vote matters

EDITORIAL

If voters wanted a choice in the upcoming municipal election, they certainly have that here on the Sunshine Coast.

As it stands now, there are 44 confirmed candidates seeking a spot at either the Gibsons or Sechelt council table, the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) board or as a School District No. 46 (SD46) trustee. We say now, as candidates have until this Friday, Oct. 17, to withdraw their candidacy. We already saw three people drop out of the SCRD and SD46 race this week.

The candidates bring a wealth of experience with several incumbents seeking re-election, some familiar names and faces from past stints in political office and other fresh, new faces that bring other skill sets, ideas and opinions to the campaign.

Over the next five weeks, our editorial team at Coast Reporter will be working hard to get you, the voters, everything you need to make an informed, balanced decision come Nov. 15. We will be at many of the all-candidates meetings and information forums. On Oct. 31, we will publish an election pull-out section that will contain profiles on all 46 candidates should all choose to be a part of this feature. This will give everyone a taste of who the candidates are, what some of their ideas are and why they deserve your vote.

If there are other stories during the campaign, rest assured that we will be there. Every election is important, but municipal politics is by far the most significant. This is grassroots government at its finest and the decisions that are made on Nov. 15 will help set the direction our community will take for the next four years.

We also have a challenge for all the voting residents here on the Coast — get involved.

It’s so easy to sit on the sidelines and take pot shots on social media or in letters to this newspaper, but to have the conviction to stand up as these 46 people have is another thing. We applaud everyone for standing up and ask that everyone get out there to the election forums, engage and talk with the candidates, listen to everyone and then make your decision.

As in every election, your vote does matter. Get engaged and help elect people who will help ensure that the Sunshine Coast truly is a special place to live, work and play.