Let’s reclaim our democracy together
It’s easy sometimes to feel like you’re powerless, like when you come out on the streets and you march and you yell, and nobody hears you. But I’m here to tell you today: You are powerful.
Aaron Swartz
We live in troubled times, marred by rapid erosion of democratic values and radicalization of political discourse across the world—especially in the United States—as the fragile international order built in the aftermath of World War II unravels.
Canada is far from immune to this phenomenon. Here In British Columbia, provincial politics have become acutely polarized in recent years, reflecting the global trend. The BC Liberal Party rebranded itself as BC United in April 2023 with an abrupt shift to centre-right policies, and even stunningly withdrew all candidates during the 2024 election campaign in a strategic alliance with the BC Conservative Party, whose views have similarly migrated toward the far right; the latter has even pushed for the repeal of the Human Rights Code. As a result, advocates have lost their voice, no longer able to stand behind a politician championing their cause—not even BC Premier David Eby, who used to be a lawyer for the BC Civil Liberties Association. Without a counterweight to far-right narrative, political discourse has become a race to the bottom.
Perhaps you wonder how we got there. The answer fits in one short sentence: regressive forces have massively infiltrated every level of government, from federal to school boards. One initiative among many, which almost flew under the radar, is a group called Conservatizing Municipal Councils and School Boards, based in Alberta. I’ve attended a couple of their online sessions, from which I’ve learned not to underestimate them; their views may be repellent and foolish, but they know how to disguise their subversive intentions with a respectable façade.
In contrast, progressive forces have either distanced themselves from politics, or been ensnared by establishment parties like Steven Guilbeault was when he joined the Liberal Party of Canada. Democracy has regressed because we’ve left a political vacuum for radical elements to fill. Let’s not blame it on our rivals when it’s actually our duty to stand up for ourselves.
While Western democracies may be beyond saving in their current form, it is not too late to join the fray. The only way left to preserve the last three generations’ achievements is to run for office and reclaim those seats ourselves, while there’s still a democracy left to salvage.
In BC, the ideal opportunity is coming fast. The next municipal elections will be held provincewide on October 17 2026. In order to be nominated as a candidate, one must be a Canadian citizen, have been a resident of the province for at least six months, be at least 18 years old, gather up to 25 nominations from eligible voters (actual number varies across jurisdictions), and pay a $100 nomination deposit. These requirements are within almost anyone’s reach—even the indigent, as the 2022 candidacy of a homeless man attests.
Not only that, municipal elections are particularly propitious to independent candidacies. Here in Victoria, all nine council members are independents, and only the current mayor ran from the previous council; the remaining eight were upstarts. In contrast, there was one political party, VIVA Victoria, which presented a roster of seven candidates, yet it was wiped out. Furthermore, the cutoff line was beneath ten thousand votes, which is within the reach of a community advocate, especially considering that even the homeless candidate from above managed to reap four hundred.
Furthermore, there has never been a more favourable climate for advocates and activists to run for office, considering the angst surrounding the erosion of confidence in democratic institutions and establishment candidates. While individuals campaigning as independents usually have a hard time breaking through, a wave of independents running in concert in order to amplify each other’s message has a shot at seizing power in municipalities across the province. If we do not seize this opportunity, it may never present itself again; in fact, if we do not safeguard our democracy, there may not even be one left four years down the road, as regressive political factions are hell bent on subverting it for good.
This is why I, Martin Girard, hereby announce my candidacy for councillor at the upcoming municipal elections here in Victoria. And I do not mean to be the lone dissenting voice on the council; we need majorities in order to pass resolutions at the local level and pressure the provincial government via the Union of BC Municipalities. I therefore reach out to you, fellow human rights activists and advocates across the province, and exhort you to run for office alongside me. If we win, we won’t have to plead, beg, or pressure our elected representatives to do the right thing; we’ll be able to introduce motions and cast the votes ourselves.
We don’t need to form a rigid political faction in order to achieve our goals at the municipal level. We only need to agree on one thing: to run as advocates on a mission to solve problems, as opposed to career politicians promising to sweep them away. We have to convince the electorate that it is more humane and economical to address our public safety crisis with social investments than with the criminalization of poverty. We have to work with indigenous communities in order to mend the wrongs of the past and safeguard our environmental heritage. We have to confront those who bemoan the influx of migrants and refugees, by pointing out the solution is to promote human rights abroad just like we do at home. If we can agree on this much, I will gladly fight alongside you in the political arena, whichever cause you champion. By forming an extrapartisan coalition of like-minded candidates, we can prop each other up and support each other’s agenda. Together, we can win.
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Information session: How to be a candidate in the upcoming municipal elections
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My campaign website is finally up!
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Let’s talk about low voter turnout
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Martin Girard lives in Victoria, British Columbia. He became a full-time activist and citizen journalist while homeless, documenting and organizing protests. Then he assumed the role of legal advocate in a private capacity, lacking any relevant education, training, or experience, and faked it till he made it. Nowadays he wears the hat of politician and intends to fake it so well that the electorate will vote him into public office. Place your bets!
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