Coffee’s got its “double double,” chewing gum has its “Double Bubble” and the District of Sechelt had a chance for a “double direct” – election survey that is – until councillors voted down the idea at a regular council meeting.
A double direct election allows voters to elect a candidate for two roles.
At the Dec. 2 meeting, Coun. Matt McLean pitched the idea of allowing voters in the 2022 local government election to choose who would represent them as mayor and council, and also vote for who among council would represent them on the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) board, “while also working within the requirements of the Local Government Act.”
As it stands now, municipal directors are appointed to the SCRD board “at pleasure by the council from among its members,” and without input from the electorate, according to the Local Government Act. Sechelt has two seats, the most of any municipality and electoral area on the Sunshine Coast.
Under the proposed change, the appointments would be made based on a survey included on ballots collected during the local government election. Only candidates elected to municipal office would have the option to serve on the SCRD board.
McLean noted the City of Victoria and District of Saanich use a similar approach for their regional district board.
“This action will make the SCRD more accountable to its citizens and hopefully improve decision making,” said McLean, adding candidates could run with two platforms.
Following a number of questions from councillors around technicalities such as advertising and term length, Coun. Tom Lamb jumped in with a point blank rejection.
“I really don’t think this is a great idea,” he said, citing staff time and the risk of appointing a novice candidate to the SCRD board, which he described as an “overwhelming” role. “Maybe in the future but not now. There’s just way too much going on.”
Coun. Eric Scott said it could disadvantage candidates like him, who are passionate about serving but only have time for one role. “I can see this leading down the garden path of the constituents looking at the ballot going, they’re not willing to go on the regional board, so I’m not voting for them.”
Coun. Alton Toth agreed. “I’m concerned about staff time,” he said, adding when first elected he couldn’t “imagine… learning both this and the regional district.”
McLean pushed back, suggesting some of the defining issues affecting Sechelt residents – transit, water, recreation, solid waste – are all SCRD services.
“That stuff really matters. Candidates should be presenting a vision for what they want to achieve,” he said. “It anchors that agenda to create change at the SCRD and represent the people.”
While Coun. Brenda Rowe credited the idea as “interesting” and generating worthwhile discussion, ultimately, the motion for staff to look into the prospect failed – though it did end with a double. All but McLean and Mayor Darnelda Siegers voted against it.
