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Wednesday, May 1, 2013
EDITORIAL: Time to reform the all-candidates meeting
P
lenty of discussion in recent years has centred around the inevitable shift to digital voting. Voting electronically—through the Internet or a network not yet envisioned—is seen as a way to grow voter turnout and engage younger people in democracy.
What’s more deserving of our immediate attention is the lowly all-candidates meeting. Each election, citizens’ groups and local organizations dutifully organize these so-called debates in the name of democracy. The meetings give voters a chance to meet their candidates and hear what they have to say. At the very least, it’s a way for citizens to see if their future political representatives have a pulse and pick up some campaign literature for some thrilling late-night reading. It’s time we re-think the all-candidates meeting. During this provincial campaign, at least three such meetings—for all three Richmond ridings—are planned. The first was Monday, which drew about 150 people at its peak, and thinned out considerably before the night was done. Just three in five candidates bothered to show up. That’s no doubt a slap in the face to some voters, but it was simple strategy for many candidates. Spending three hours answering questions alongside a dozen others (or 20 if
Matthew Hoekstra photo Richmond East B.C. Conservative hopeful Nathaniel Lim addressed an all-candidates meeting on Monday.
it’s a civic campaign)—and for the conscientious, perhaps a few more hours preparing—might not be seen as the best use of time. Candidates might change the minds of a few undecided voters, but crowds at all-candidates meetings are largely stacked with people who’ve already made up their minds. Many are just there to cheer on friends and family. Candidates may reach a few more
people through media coverage, but that’s not a guarantee. It’s time to look to new methods of engaging voters during election periods. Debates can offer far greater interest to voters than simple meetings. How about multiple events, where sparring partners are chosen through a weighted lottery, and stream it all live online? What about online, moder-
ated discussion forums? Maybe the all-candidates meeting should go to where the people are, instead of the people going to where they are. Better ways for candidates to reach out to voters in 2013 should be explored. That will require the help and support from government— through Elections B.C.—and the community groups and citizens that are already engaged.
Living more in the outdoors child started all day schooling.
Life Lessons
Andrea Phillpotts
L
ast week, my husband and I explored a secret beach a short drive from Richmond. It was our first outdoor adventure together since our youngest
We trudged along forestshaded trails, tender ferns unfurling in the new green of the undergrowth. A switch back led us to a sandy beach ringed with grasses. The low tide was studded with herons, seagulls, and the occasional rock. We pulled up a sun bleached log, stuffed a jacked under our heads, and were asleep within minutes. When we woke, it was as if the weight of the world had been lifted from our shoulders. Nature can be relaxing. It can be peaceful, inspiring, and healthy for all of us in our modern lives. These benefits, in fact, are at the heart of a new challenge put out by the David Suzuki Foundation. The 30x30 challenge urges Canadians to spend 30 minutes outdoors each day
for the 30 days of May. Environmentalists are concerned that humans are no longer connected with our natural environment; this leads to people not caring in the same way about its preservation. In the past, our very survival depended on how well we knew the land, the weather, and the turning of the seasons. According to current studies referenced by the David Suzuki Foundation, human beings in North America spend 95% of their time inside buildings or cars. This is a 50% reduction in the past 50 years. Young people spend 6 hours of their day in front of a television or computer screen and only 6 minutes outside. What it adds up to is a “great disconnect” with nature. Many of us don’t feel comfortable outside
and would rather hang out in a mall instead of walking through the Richmond Nature Park. It’s too bad because nature can offer us a lot. Spending time outdoors lowers stress levels and depression, increases energy, heightens immunity, reduces ADD symptoms, and can lead to a 50 per cent reduction in risk of diabetes and heart attacks, and a 30 per cent lower risk of colon cancer. So I’m on for the challenge. Right now, fitting 30 minutes doing anything in my busy life seems daunting but with the weather getting nicer every week, I am looking forward to exploring the wilder sides of Richmond. Maybe I’ll go for that bike ride on Iona Island I’ve always wanted to do. Perhaps I’ll take my kids geocaching along Shell Trail. Definitely, I’ll
Environmentalists are concerned that humans are no longer connected with our natural environment. pull out our old kite and go for a picnic at Gary Point. And for certain, I’ll be back to that magical beach just south of Richmond where I experienced first hand, the incredible restorative power of Mother Nature. For more information about the challenge, visit 30x30.davidsuzuki.org/ Andrea Phillpotts is a Richmond writer and teacher. Opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect those of any school district, organization, or school.