Regional District adopts voting transparency bylaw

By Abigail Popple, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, RMG

The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George board of directors adopted a bylaw amendment requiring that votes in opposition be recorded in meeting minutes by default at their December board meeting. The adoption of the amendment follows months of discussion about how recording votes may affect transparency and directors’ privacy, the first version of the amendment having been discussed in August.

That first version was narrowly dismissed by the board in a 7-6 vote on the grounds that disclosing how directors vote may lead to more harassment from constituents and media, as well as concerns that the practice may discourage directors from voting in the minority.

In response to these concerns, Director Kyle Sampson tweaked the amendment so directors could opt out of having their “no” vote recorded, though opposing votes will still be recorded by default. The board gave first, second and third reading to this amendment during their November meeting.

The board officially adopted the amended bylaw on December 19th. 

Electoral Area H Director Dannielle Alan, who has previously spoken to The Goat about her opposition to the bylaw, reiterated her concerns.

“I was one of the few that voted in opposition [during the November meeting], and I was contacted by a local paper,” Alan said. “It proves my point that this is an opportunity to exacerbate divisions, instead of providing transparency.”

The amended bylaw took effect immediately upon adoption.