By Megan Lau
@megan_lau
The Beyond Housing and Affordability questionnaire below was released on September 20, 2018 to the public. Vancouverites were invited to ask the 70 candidates for Vancouver City Council (and 21 for mayor), their platforms and perspectives on increasing equity and ensuring safety and justice for all residents of YVR. All candidates for mayor and council in the Vancouver 2018 municipal election were invited to respond by October 4. Each of the questions below were contextualized with preamble written by community members.
As questions about housing and affordability dominate the conversation, a city as diverse and forward-thinking as Vancouver deserves a deeper conversation about inclusivity and equity. A few months ago, I met Jalana Lewis, a young woman from Halifax who lead a public survey of the candidates running in the 2017 Nova Scotian provincial election on issues related to African Nova Scotians. The survey, a project of African Nova Scotian Decade for People of African Descent Coalition, asked respondents for their takes on environmental racism, historic land claims, access to health and education, and position on street checks.
Vancouver is home to peoples of diverse religions, genders, sexualities, races, and abilities. The purpose of this voluntary survey was to know more about how the candidates will represent and address the concerns of equity-seeking groups in our city such as: Indigenous peoples, people of colour, persons living with disabilities, women, and the LGBTQAI2+ community.
This project is an imperfect reflection of the conversations and concerns in my communities. I recognize my own and my contributors’ limitations in both lived experience and capacity to represent all intersectional identities and communities.
Individuals and organizations who have contributed to this survey include:
- Stephanie Allen
- Aslam Bulbulia
- Ian Bushfield
- The Cambie Report
- Ela Esra Gunad
- Hogan’s Alley Society
- Khelsilem
- Lost Votes YVR
- Michelle Lorna Nahanee
- Kimberley Wong
- Ellen Woodsworth
To view the public google document of questions and responses from council and mayoral candidates, click on the box below
Due to the varying length of responses and the number of candidates, the best way to view the answers is to select a cell and expand the formula window Please note that there are two sheets: one for council and one for mayoral candidates.
Advance voting for the 2018 Municipal election begins today, October 10-17. Vote by mail applications are due October 19. Election day is October 20. For voting locations, dates, and further information visit the City of Vancouver website here.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me: Megan Lau (hello@meganlau.com). The public Google Form can also be accessed here. To view the questionnaire and complete list of contributors, please visit: goo.gl/forms/J23JSQJeF0Y79lUQ2.
