The next Port Coquitlam council members sworn into office in four years will likely take a "more positive" pledge at inauguration.
At Monday's finance and intergovernmental (FIG) committee, council said the current oath - typically administered before a provincial court judge - doesn't represent the spirit of PoCo.
And rather than using the standard oath from the provincial government, which uses the words "contravened," "vote buying" and "intimidation," city staff are asking for a change in the election procedure bylaw to tailor it to PoCo.
"It's definitely a negative tone," PoCo chief election officer Carolyn Deakin told the FIG committee. "We want it to reflect more Port Coquitlam."
The proposed oath, which council has yet to formally debate or endorse, reads in part: "I will abide the statues, bylaws and policies that govern the city and will promote openness, accountability and responsible leadership."
It further reads: "I will dedicate myself at all times to acting in the best interests of the community as a whole and I will be a leader in the continued development of a safe, vibrant and sustainable city for the residents of Port Coquitlam."
Earlier this month, the oath of office generated controversy in Victoria when the new mayor, Lisa Helps, declined to swear an oath to the Queen during her inauguration (she later explained the pledge was outdated and opted not to say it out of respect for First Nations in the area).
PoCo's staff recommendation to change the oath comes as part of an overall review of last month's civic election, which saw a 5.2% jump in voter turnout over the 2011 municipal campaign.
Deakin told the FIG committee that city staff want other procedural changes before the next vote to give more clarity and accessibility to candidates and voters. Among the suggestions:
adding more polling stations at Central and James Park elementary schools;
increasing mobile voting opportunities;
ensuring voters know they must provide one piece of ID;
distributing voter cards no earlier than two weeks before the general election;
using additional outdoor directional signs to polling stations;
and clarifying the election sign bylaw.
Councillors congratulated city staff for their efficiency during the campaign, including their efforts to post results quickly online. But council noted complaints about "overzealous" bylaw officers removing election signs, the placement of election signs and voters failing to provide identification.
@jwarrenTC
