Community Task Force on Council Representation seeks your feedback!
Consultation has concluded
Tell Us What You Think!
The Task Force wants your feedback on possible approaches to improve diversity and representation on Vancouver City Council. Below you will find details about the formation of the Task Force and its problem statement.
The possible approaches we are seeking feedback are:
- Ranked-Choice Voting
- Nomination of City Councilmembers by District
- A hybrid option implementing Ranked-Choice Voting and Geographic Districts
- Empowering Neighborhoods and Communities
- Increasing Access to City Council
- New and Enhanced Strategies for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Click the button below to complete our survey.
You can also share your ideas and ask questions usingContinue reading
Tell Us What You Think!
The Task Force wants your feedback on possible approaches to improve diversity and representation on Vancouver City Council. Below you will find details about the formation of the Task Force and its problem statement.
The possible approaches we are seeking feedback are:
- Ranked-Choice Voting
- Nomination of City Councilmembers by District
- A hybrid option implementing Ranked-Choice Voting and Geographic Districts
- Empowering Neighborhoods and Communities
- Increasing Access to City Council
- New and Enhanced Strategies for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Click the button below to complete our survey.
You can also share your ideas and ask questions using the tools below! Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us!
Task Force Background
In early 2019, the City of Vancouver’s most-recently convened Charter Review Committee recommended the election of the City’s six Council positions by geographic district. Following City Council deliberation over the recommendation, it was determined to form a Task Force to address this recommendation, with each City Councilmember appointing a Task Force member.
The Task Force Charter defines the group’s purpose as being:
“…to identify, develop and recommend practical strategies and policies, including council nomination by district, that supports elected representation on the City Council that more closely reflects the Vancouver community.”
View the Task Force Charter here: Task Force Charter PDF
Task Force Problem Statement
The Task Force developed this problem statement to guide their efforts at developing possible approaches:
Setting public policy which best serves the public interest requires inclusion of diverse community perspectives. Diversity includes age, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, geography and socioeconomic status.
There is a perceived lack of diverse representation on the Vancouver City Council and its appointed Boards and Commissions. Direct and indirect representation of underserved groups and neighborhoods in the community needs to improve and increase.
Low rates of citizen engagement, civic participation, and voter turnout highlight the need to increase community access to local government.
Adequate representation is inhibited by barriers, including, but not limited to:
- Accessibility of City Council and reduced public input/comment opportunities
- Lack of diversity in positions appointed by City Council
- How and when elections are conducted -
- Voting methods which induce vote-splitting
- Elections for City Council being held on odd-numbered years with resulting low voter turnout
- Insufficient staffing capacity to effectively engage at the neighborhood level
- Lack of understanding of the challenges and barriers faced by diverse candidates for office in both running and winning election
- Inadequate connection to diverse communities and individuals, and lacking understanding of the practical and logistical obstacles which impede engagement
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Share your ideas with the Task Force
over 3 years agoHave ideas or thoughts you want to share with the Task Force? Share them here!
Please note that your ideas will be visible to all users after you submit it.
Equanimity Nowover 3 years agoTap into Leadership
There are multicultural community groups active in Vancouver that should be integrated into Council better to serve communities that are not being reached. Equity is important and part of that is getting familiar with who is already active in the leadership space and treating them as community partners.
0 comment3Tover 3 years agoCity paying or engaging third parties to fund people that have oversight on them? Really?
Please redo this survey starting with the problem/context and then include background on suggested remedies. What the heck is a Citizen Academy? Is lack of representation = participation in engagement with Council or to be on Council? Why would anyone think it would be a good idea for the City to be funding (paying) for participation on boards, etc. that have oversight on its activities? This questionnaire was pushed to my email, and I spent time trying to understand what I could provide input. I hope the comments are of use. Otherwise, all that has resulted is in me having a headache.
0 comment0Pining for the Pastover 3 years agoRestrain the City Council's reflexive impulses to jump-on the social justice bandwagon of every irrelevant "Movement" that comes along.
The Couve's Council & It's Knee-Jerk Need to Emulate the Worst of Portlandia.
0 comment1cityover 3 years agoStop this irrational growth that has destroyed the quality of life. Throw out the corrupt lobbyists and politicians.
0 comment2Hough Residentover 3 years agoRedundant
Sad to see, there are no new ideas, in this survey. All of this material has been hashed over during the last 20 years, in various Charter Review Committees or have been deleted from city government due to financial restraints. The focus on equity is troubling because it sounds like one group of citizens is being singled out. We are all equitable. Boards and Commissions depend on commissioner's, with interest, knowledge and experience. Until the City Council and City Staff are willing to listen to community members, no progress will be made., on any level. Case in point: Columbian Street bicycle lanes-the city council made a sham out of the citizen's advisory committee, without incorporating a single idea. Similar to the distrust created during the Heights Project.
0 comment1
Who's Listening
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AL
Phone 360-487-8612 Email aaron.lande@cityofvancouver.us
Upcoming Virtual Community Meetings
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October 20 2020
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October 22 2020
Important Links
Key Dates
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December 21 2020