Watching a 1992 film about the life and work of poet William Stafford, I was struck by his comment that some voices are trying to amplify the problems rather than work to solve them. Though I’d rather have been reading Stafford’s poetry, I’d been reading candidates’ platforms and listening to all-candidates meetings to decide how to vote in the October 17 Powell River municipal elections. In a community divided, Stafford’s voice from over thirty years ago lit me up.

Of course, voices amplify problems to gain the attention needed to address them meaningfully. In years of environmental campaigns, my friends and I often did just that. But we built our strategy around two principles: keep the door open to differing opinions and be ready to find paths through those differences to hammer out workable compromises.

Here in Powell River, two main issues seem to be dividing us:

• our relationship with the Tla’amin people
• homelessness and addiction services

Instead of seeing a strong relationship with the Tla’amin as a cornerstone of our community’s well-being, some candidates are undermining it with residential school denialism and opposition to any symbols of our shared experience. How is this helping the people of Powell River?

Section 35 of our constitution reads as follows:

The existing aboriginal and treaty rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada are hereby recognized and affirmed …. For greater certainty, in subsection (1) “treaty rights” includes rights that now exist by way of land claims agreements or may be so acquired.

Tla’amin, in good faith, negotiated such a treaty, which came into effect in 2016. After tearing up the Indian Act, the nation has built housing for seniors, recreational facilities for youth, a cultural centre and is in the process of building the “Coming Home” Project, a 30-unit affordable residential housing development on the former Powell River General Hospital site at tiskʷat. The nation also bought the tree-farm license for Stillwater Forest Operation from Western Forest Products this year.

As well as employing members of the nation, these projects employ many Powell River residents. Why in the world aren’t all candidates celebrating this and promoting closer ties?

On the issues of homelessness, on harm reduction, on addiction services, well, I can only suggest that you look for voices that seek to solve problems rather than amplify them. I can’t believe people, including some candidates, are still saying without any evidence that people get shipped here from other jurisdictions and others are saying we should move “them” out of town. 

Watching the forums clarified some choices for me, but another voice appeared to provide more evidence for those choices. It has also made me understand why some candidates are so upsetting – amplification seems to be their whole show.

qathet carpenter Craig Turney, calling himself BC History Boy, writes on the media platform Substack. He’s written a detailed article about our municipal elections which, whether or not you agree with his conclusions, has lots of concrete information to help you make your own choices. (Click on the picture below)

But if you don’t feel like a long read, here’s who Craig (and I) suggest you vote for (reprinted below with his permission):

Mayor: Rob Southcott
In the last election, Rob received more votes than any other candidate, with forty-six per cent of the vote. He’s served on council since 2014, understands how council works, and is the progressive candidate with the best chance of winning.

Council:

• Earl Almeida
  Incumbent. Has a solid track record and collaborates well with colleagues. Strongest on economic issues.
• Cindy Elliott
  Incumbent. Has a detailed platform that includes creating a Housing Authority and climate change adaptation. An impressive resume includes service as the Regional Economic Development Officer for the Province of BC, and Acting Aboriginal Relations Manager for the BC Ministry of Forests.
• Trina Isakson
  Incumbent. Is campaigning on affordable housing, good relations with Tla’amin Nation, and support for youth. Has an MBA in community economic development.
• Paddy Treavor
  Middle-of-the-road kind of guy. Has decades of experience in labour relations and on the front lines as a psychiatric nurse on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside; seems to understand the complexities of homelessness and addiction. Currently serving as steward at large for BC Nurses Union.
• Jordie Yow
  Is campaigning to “create homes and get help to those in need in our community, and continue the city’s support for the planned Joyce Avenue shelter.” One of the few candidates to explicitly support Tla’amin’s request to change the city’s name.

It’s worth noting that you don’t have to fill your ballot. If there’s only a handful of councillors you’re stoked on, you can just put their names down and leave the rest blank.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we elect a mayor and council brings different voices to the table. We want a local government that respects those differences and works hard to find a respectful way to work together to find solutions. And that we, as a community, do the same.

To go back to William Stafford – here’s an excerpt from his poem, You Reading This, Be Ready:

Will you ever bring a better gift for the world
than the breathing respect that you carry
wherever you go right now? Are you waiting
for time to show you some better thoughts?