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Businesses in Merritt should be given the same rights and opportunity to vote in municipal elections as individual homeowners, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.
In a presentation delivered to the Mayor and council before Tueday night’s regular council meeting Brian Bonney, Director of Provincial Affairs for the CFIB, suggested that by giving businesses a vote in municipal elections council would become more accountable to the interests of businesses and make decisions accordingly.
Robin Blencoe, the Minister for Municipal Affairs under an NDP government, repealed the right for businesses to vote in 1992.
“The municipal vote was not working,” says Bonney.
“The premise was that someone could go out and get a business license, rent a storage locker, and do that multiple times receiving numerous votes.”
With better legislation Bonney says he feels that businesses could be given the right to vote and have better representation.
No decision was made regarding this presentation.
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Survey results are meant for general information only, and are not based on recognised statistical methods.
Fed wants business vote
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