Voters in British Columbia's cities, towns and villages head to the polls today to cast their verdict on local candidates who made big promises this fall to tackle the huge issues confronting almost every community.
From Vancouver and Surrey to the smaller Interior communities of Princeton and Clearwater, campaigns focused on issues that typically fall beyond the municipal realm, such as health care, violent crime, mental health and addiction and affordable housing.
Incumbent Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart, facing a strong challenge from businessman Ken Sim, promises to triple the city's housing goal over the next decade to 220,000 homes, while providing Canada's strongest renter protections.
I'm proud of our plan. Together we can get it done.
— Kennedy Stewart (@kennedystewart) October 4, 2022
But Ken Sim will take us backwards. He opposes affordable housing projects & protections for renters. His record says it all.
It's your choice – do you want a city where only some people get ahead or a Vancouver for all of us? pic.twitter.com/iePE0hWXKt
Heading to the polls before 8? Take this with you to vote for @kennedystewart and the Forward Together team! pic.twitter.com/gXU8vC38S1
— Forward Together Vancouver (@ForwardVan22) October 16, 2022
It's time for change in Vancouver.
— Ken Sim (@KenSimCity) October 13, 2022
We can make Vancouver safer. We can make progress on housing. We can unite the people of this city and craft a future we can all be proud of.
Voting for change: It's easy as ABC! #vanpoli pic.twitter.com/IKDiQBmzuO
Incumbent Clearwater Mayor Merlin Blackwell says health care is the top issue in his North Thompson community, where the local hospital's emergency department experiences regular closures.
He says small-town issues of dog parks and potholes are on the back burner in this campaign with residents wanting local government to improve health care and fight crime.
In Surrey, incumbent Mayor Doug McCallum is facing consecutive challenges, first at the ballot box against seven other candidates, then in court on Oct. 31 as he faces trial on a charge of public mischief.