As written, the proposed by-law changes do not appear to address the actual or the perceived election sign concerns cited by Council and in the staff report. Moreover, the changes do not appear to promote a desirable increase in voter awareness during election processes which election signs serve to achieve.
Next Monday (November 30), New Westminster City Council intends to amend the City’s sign by-law. The amendments will impose a number of unnecessary restrictions on election campaign signs that we feel are fundamentally anti-democratic. We therefore do not support the by-law changes as currently drafted.
As written, the proposed by-law changes do not truly address the actual – nor the perceived – election sign concerns cited by Council in the relevant staff reports (see: report dated 2/3/2020 Amendments to the Sign Bylaw regarding Election Signs and the updated report dated 2/24/2020). Moreover, the proposed changes do not appear to serve to promote a desirable increase in voter awareness during election processes: Something election signs serve to achieve.
Last week, New Westminster Progressives sent a letter to Mayor and Council with a number of respectfully submitted recommendations and points to consider before proceeding. Given that no elections are on the horizon for the next while, there does not seem to be any reason to rush these by-law amendments through – certainly not in the middle of a pandemic and certainly not without a more thorough-going, post-pandemic community discussion.
Among the recommendations submitted for the consideration of Mayor and Council are recommendations that address the question of visual distraction at intersections. We believe visual distraction could be better, and more effectively, addressed through a by-law amendment that does not place undue restrictions on the size of election signs (within reason) at other locations in the city.
We have also proposed a mechanism in our submission to Council that we believe would more effectively address the question of “equity among candidates” cited in staff reports while also stressing the important role election signs (appropriately sized and placed) play in raising voter awareness during an election. For example, during the 2018 civic election, voter turnout in New Westminster was a mere 28.9% (see: 2018 Annual Report – CITY OF NEW WESTMINSTER – YEAR IN REVIEW). It is our sincere belief that increasing voter turnout and voter engagement is a goal we share with all parties involved, including the current Mayor and Council.
We have therefore urged Council to reconsider its current path with respect to the proposed changes to the sign by-law. We do not see any need to rush this matter through, and we encourage Council to take a step back and consider the various recommendations our organization believes would lead to a more equitable and reasonable path forward – one that more closely aligns with the fair and democratic processes expected of elections in our city.
A copy of the letter New Westminster Progressives sent to the Mayor and Council can be accessed here.