Last week marked the official launch of Fix City Hall, a province-wide campaign to abolish the unfair at-large voting system in large British Columbia municipalities and replace it with a fairer, more representative alternative. “At-large elections—where all councilors are elected city-wide—shut out diverse voices, reduce accountability, and leave many communities without real representation,” says former Vancouver Mayor and Fix City Hall Society director Kennedy Stewart. “Fix City Hall is calling on the provincial government to amend the Vancouver Charter and the Local Government Act to end this undemocratic electoral system in B.C.’s big cities.” The campaign is advocating for alternative voting systems such as proportional representation, neighbourhood-based constituencies, or another electoral system that ensures every voice counts.

By DESIBUZZCanada Staff

VANCOUVER – Last week marked the official launch of Fix City Hall, a province-wide campaign to abolish the unfair at-large voting system in large British Columbia municipalities and replace it with a fairer, more representative alternative.

“At-large elections—where all councilors are elected city-wide—shut out diverse voices, reduce accountability, and leave many communities without real representation,” says former Vancouver Mayor and Fix City Hall Society director Kennedy Stewart. “Fix City Hall is calling on the provincial government to amend the Vancouver Charter and the Local Government Act to end this undemocratic electoral system in B.C.’s big cities.”

The campaign is advocating for alternative voting systems such as proportional representation, neighbourhood-based constituencies, or another electoral system that ensures every voice counts.

The initiative has already secured endorsements from respected leaders, including former B.C. Premier Mike Harcourt, former B.C. MPs Libby Davies and Jasbir Sandhu and former B.C. Minister of State Katrina Chen, along with academics, community organizers, and grassroots advocates across the province.

Fix City Hall will be proceeding with two actions:

*Petitioning for change. British Columbians can visit www.fixcityhall.ca to sign the petition calling for reform. This petition is the first step in showing the provincial government that voters demand action.

*Launching a court challenge. Fix City Hall is also preparing to move forward with a Charter of Rights and Freedoms challenge in B.C. Supreme Court. The case will argue that at-large systems undermine fair representation and equality for racialized communities, Indigenous peoples, and neighbourhoods across B.C.

“As someone who has fought for equity and justice at the local and provincial level for most of my life, I fully support this push for more diversity in city halls right across B.C,” said Katrina Chen, Former B.C. Minister of State.

“We need to replace B.C.’s at-large voting system with a more democratic way of electing officials to local city councils that better ensures neighbourhoods get the representation they need and deserve. I opposed the at-large system throughout my time as a Vancouver city councillor and mayor, and it’s time for it to go,” said Mike Harcourt, Former Premier of British Columbia.

“Everyone in Surrey knows the city council does not reflect who we really are. We need to change that,” said Jasbir Sandhu, former Surrey North MP.

The next general local elections in B.C. are currently scheduled for Oct. 17, 2026.To learn more, sign the petition, or get involved, visit www.fixcityhall.ca