Part One: The Legal Challenge
Taking the Fight to Court
At-large elections are not just unfair—they are unconstitutional. Our expert legal team is petitioning the courts to force the B.C. government to abolish at-large elections for violating Section 2(b) and Section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Our Legal Argument:
- Section 2(b) – Freedom of Expression: At-large elections make it nearly impossible for independent candidates to effectively campaign. Expensive, city-wide campaigns prevent them from reaching voters and sharing their message, violating their right to political expression.
- Section 15 – Equality Rights: At-large elections dilute the voting power of racialized and marginalized communities. With fewer resources and less representation, these groups are unfairly excluded from council. We argue this reinforces systemic discrimination, denying fair representation.
If we win, the courts will strike down the at-large system and force the B.C. government to implement a fairer electoral system.
