Citizens possess something of great value: the right to vote and therefore influence their community’s future. Younger and lower-income citizens tend to vote at much lower rates than those who are older and more affluent, resulting in policies that favour more expensive housing and transportation over more affordable alternatives. If you want more affordability, vote for candidates who share your priorities.
Cities for Everyone’s Municipal Candidates’ Affordability Rating Report can help identify the candidates which best reflect your values.
Who, How, Where and Why Vote?
Who May Vote? | How to Vote | Why Vote? |
| Canadian citizens over 18 may vote in municipal elections if they have lived in the province for six months and in their local jurisdiction for 30 days prior to the election. Most college and university students qualify. | Simply go to a polling site in your jurisdiction, October 20, 8 am to 8 pm with official identification (student card, credit card, utility bill, or library card) showing your local residence. You can also vote in advance and by mail, including October 17 at the UVic SUB. To find your voting stations visit Elections Canada or the City of Victoria’s Information for Voters page. | Voting determines who makes policy decisions. Young and lower-income citizens currently vote at about half the rate as older and affluent citizens, resulting in policies that favor expensive housing and travel options over more affordable alternatives. To support affordability, vote in municipal elections. |
Many lower- and middle-income households spend more than they can afford on housing and transportation, leaving insufficient money to spend on other essential goods such as food and healthcare. Solving this problem requires local policy changes which increase development of affordable housing types (secondary suites, multiplexes, townhouses and low-rise apartments) in walkable urban neighborhoods. Compared with unaffordable urban housing or sprawled development, affordable infill provides many direct and indirect benefits.
Affordable Infill Housing Benefits
| Direct Benefits to Occupants | Community Benefits | Economic Benefits |
| Household savings, reduced financial stress Improved fitness and health More independent mobility for non-drivers Allows “aging in place” | More inclusive and diverse neighborhoods Reduced homelessness Reduced regional traffic and parking congestion Openspace (forest and farmland) preservation | Reduced costs of providing public infrastructure and services Energy conservation and pollution emission reductions More local economic development, employment and tax revenue |
Compared with unaffordable or sprawled housing, increasing affordable infill provides numerous benefits.
Click here for the Victoria, Saanich, Oak Bay Candidates’ Affordability Rating Report which can help identify the municipal candidates which best reflect your affordability priorities.