WHEREAS business owners are the foundation of community prosperity there is a requirement that the interest of this critical element of a vibrant community be represented in the democratic process; AND WHEREAS many business owners live outside their jurisdiction and cannot be part of the election process or vote in a referendum which may impact their business directly, and this gives them no voice a community in which they are a critical funder of essential services through their contribution to property tax and licence revenue that allow local government to provide critical services and this represents taxation without representation: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities work with the Province of BC to reinstate a corporate voting category so that non-resident business owners can exercise their democratic right to vote and participate in the electoral process in the community.
Year
2009
Number
C12
Sponsor(s)
Langley Township
Convention Decision
Not Admitted for Debate