We are in the unusual situation of having two elections underway at the same time, one municipal and one provincial. It can get a little confusing.

It also has me thinking about electoral boundaries.

At the municipal level, I was happy to work with Councillor Niall Paltiel in 2022 when the BC Electoral Boundaries Commission was considering changes that would have moved Brentwood Bay into the Saanich South provincial riding.

Niall and I jointly brought forward a motion asking Central Saanich to make a submission to the Commission.

The motion said:

WHEREAS the BC Electoral Boundaries Commission was seeking advice about proposed boundary changes before its November 22, 2022 deadline;

WHEREAS the village of Brentwood Bay was proposed to become part of the Saanich South electoral area; and

WHEREAS Central Saanich Council and the District have a unique local understanding of the cultural and historical identity of Brentwood Bay which should inform the Commission’s decision;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Central Saanich make a submission to the BC Electoral Boundaries Commission recognizing the importance of Brentwood Bay’s village identity, its cultural and historical connections, and the relationship between Brentwood Bay and Tsartlip First Nation.

The motion was jointly submitted by Councillors Zeb King and Niall Paltiel and Council supported making the submission. November 14, 2022.

I am glad we worked together on it. It is a small example of collaboration making a difference.
But collaboration does not mean unanimity, and it does not mean every vote has to go your way. Sometimes you lose a vote. Sometimes you are the dissenting voice. That is part of democracy too. What matters is being willing to make your case, listen to others, find common ground when it is there, and accept disagreement when it is not.