1152 replies to this topic

[dasmo]

No proof that higher pay gets better quality people elected, but anyone in HR will tell you that candidate quality for any job improves with compensation.

See Trudeau. He get's better with every raise! 

[Nparker]

No proof that higher pay gets better quality people elected, but anyone in HR will tell you that candidate quality for any job improves with compensation.

Then we need to set qualifications for those running for public office, just like anyone in HR would do.

[Awaiting Juno]

Tip 1: Don't elect people who haven't worked in the "real world". Expecting people who have never had to work in the real world (and in particular people who have never had to make payroll), to govern it is foolish. Yet: look at who is sitting at that table. Have any of them had to run a sustainable business and provide a living not just for themselves, but for others? 

[Victoria Watcher]

Well I believe all of them work for or worked for government, non-profits that receive government grants, or as contractors taking government contracts.

Not sure about Gardiner.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 09 April 2024 - 08:52 AM.

[lanforod]

I’d much rather elect career politician Pierre Poilievre over drama teacher Justin Trudeau…

[JimV]

^Just to be on the safe side it would be better not to elect teachers of any kind.

[Victoria Watcher]

I share the view of the recent letter, “Victoria needs to withdraw its biased planning survey,” that the City of Victoria’s Official Community Plan Review process has adopted a “participation architecture” that excludes deviating viewpoint or novel and creative input.

It’s more in the nature of “Would you like your rat poison with crackers or toast? Check one.”

This approach conveys to me that the city is reluctant at best, frightened at worst, to receive ideas other than the ones it has predetermined.

This is not socially healthy and, as well, it seems to reject the rough-and-tumble that should accompany a comprehensive planning and land use process.

https://www.timescol...unities-8572127

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 10 April 2024 - 05:13 AM.

[dasmo]

Well said

[Victoria Watcher]

Victoria council has taken a step toward never again having to vote on its own remuneration.

Council voted Thursday to have Mayor Marianne Alto write to the province to ask it to change the council compensation approval process to remove councils from making decisions on their own compensation.



The move comes a week after Victoria councillors stepped back from voting themselves a 25 per cent raise.

Councillors put on hold plans for the raise they voted for themselves in March. Instead, the city will establish a task force to make recommendations on salary adjustments and when they will take effect.



https://www.timescol...n-rules-8590124



[Edited by Admin]

[dasmo]

I see your raise and I raise you a task force on giving raises!

[Matt R.]

Probably cheaper just to give the raises.

[Nparker]

Probably cheaper just to give the raises.

That's probably what the unholy alliance of 5 are hoping.

[Awaiting Juno]

The provincial government is asleep at the wheel on the municipal portfolio in a bunch of ways. They've given longer terms (4 years) but no checks and balances on those terms, either in the form of recall legislation at the municipal level OR staggered terms (half the council up every two years). We are overdue for some degree of amalgamation - at least in the core. I'd rather have the best 13 or 15 municipal politicians in Victoria, Esquimalt, Saanich, and Oak Bay - than what we've got. Wards might be a good thing too. Service standards might also be helpful - set a minimum performance standard for things like issuing a building permit. Set remuneration and hours of work expectations at the provincial level based on population served - one off task forces are just more lucrative contracts for their friends to give them the answers they want.  Lastly: Elections BC really needs to review what happens at the municipal level and enforce its rules - the amount of abuse shoveled at candidates is unacceptable. Rules around slates need to be clearer too - the whole, it's a slate but not officially thing is a steaming pile of garbage. Further: candidates should have to disclose their donors weekly during the campaign, AND there should be no such thing as *anonymous donations*. Susan Kim had her signs out a week before she was allowed to - anyone see a news story about that? What about any fine being levied against her?