Another elected councillor, this time from Saanich, is聽arguing against elected councils. We鈥檝e come to expect this sort of thinking from Victoria, but Saanich as well? Democracy be damned, apparently.
Coun. Nathalie Chambers wants Saanich to declare its support for the Wet鈥檚uwet鈥檈n hereditary chiefs instead of the councils elected by the Wet鈥檚uwet鈥檈n people. She wants Saanich council to take sides, not just in the pipeline debate, but also in Wet鈥檚uwet鈥檈n internal affairs.
She wants Saanich to toss more fuel on the fight that has divided the Wet鈥檚uwet鈥檈n.
Yes, we know the argument: The elected council system was imposed on the Indigenous peoples of sa国际传媒, so the choices made by voters are not valid. So?
Here is breaking news from 1906, when Saanich was created: Saanich鈥檚 elected council exists at the whim of the provincial government. And from 1862: Victoria鈥檚 elected council was created by the colonial administration. If band councils are not legitimate, neither are municipal ones.
Outsiders with no real knowledge and no vested interest in the outcome are not helpful.
We need strong leadership from people who believe in our country and believe in democracy. We are not getting it from those we elected.
