For VanRamblings the core election issue in Vancouver’s upcoming civic election, as it is across our province, our nation Canada, and the developed & developing world is simple to identify: child poverty, wont and need.
All of the other issues of importance that we as voters will see addressed over the course of the next five months, the issues that we care about that will serve to determine how we cast our ballot at the polls, stem from the core family issue of child poverty: the construction of affordable housing, inclusion, and social and economic justice for all of our fellow citizens.
Not to mention, the promotion of active transportation through the construction of more bike lanes and inviting pedestrian walkways, the renewal of our access to all community centre system and the proper, well-funded husbandry of our parks system across the city — because, just in case you didn’t know, parks are the backyards for tens of thousands of our fellow citizens in our little paradise by the sea, and more importantly, for the children living in condominiums, apartments or townhouses, or who live in the more economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods across our city and who call Vancouver home — as well as for human-scale development over development geared to please offshore buyers, who see our city as a commodity market, and not our most cherished and beloved home.
Compassion vs selfishness and greed. Children who go hungry, and who live in sub-standard housing vs the provision of a childhood for our most vulnerable citizens, and governance that works to eliminate wont and need while seeking to provide access to and equality of opportunity for all the children who live in our city, in every one of our 23 neighbourhoods.
Pretty simple calculus, huh?
Think with your heart as well as your mind, look to the future, ensure the protection of our environment and the livability of our city for all — and come Saturday, October 20th you’ll know which candidates to vote for.
