A candidate who unsuccessfully ran in last fall’s civic election is asking Coquitlam city hall to give printed information to voters about all the people running for council seats.
Monday, Nicola Spurling spoke to council-in-committee to request the city cover the costs of a mailout that would provide photos and short biographies of the contenders. Currently, the city only gives those campaign details via its website — and not in print.
“It could be just a flyer, perhaps three or four pages double-sided,” Spurling told The Tri-City News Wednesday. “It wouldn’t cost that much to publish and would be helpful.”
Spurling asked the expense to be included in the city budget for subsequent elections.
In previous campaigns, the city has sent out packages containing candidate brochures but the cost of distribution and printing is borne by the candidates — if they can afford it.
The topic was raised last June at council but no changes were made before last October's vote.
Spurling argued money is tight with campaign financing rules that prevent office-seekers from collecting cash from corporations and unions.
And she contended a city-wide mailout that includes the candidates’ condensed information would boost voter turnout in Coquitlam; last October, turnout was about 26%.
Spurling said the city could have afforded such a mailout last year as it budgeted up to $350,000 but spent $307,000 (chief election officer Lauren Hewson, information, privacy and administration services manager, said the invoices are still coming in).
Spurling estimates the flyer would cost taxpayers up to $45,000 to send out.
Still, at the March 4 committee meeting, members made no recommendation to council.
Coun. Bonita Zarrillo, who discussed the matter with city council last summer, said a marketing page is included with the candidate brochure package but is interested to see that expanded to include biographies.
“The playing field needs to be levelled," Zarrillo said. "Currently, the situation is inequitable and it favours those who can raise the campaign money."
