Politics Is Not a Spectator Sport
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Why Low Voter Turnout Has High Consequences for Business and Community
One of my ongoing frustrations—especially at the municipal level—is voter turnout.
In many local elections, turnout hovers in the low-to-mid 30% range. That’s 33, 34, maybe 35 percent of eligible voters deciding on the level of government that has the most immediate and direct impact on our daily lives: zoning, housing, transportation, public safety, taxation, business regulation, and community services.
And yet, most people don’t show up.
Years ago, I heard a quote from Preston Manning that has always stuck with me:
Politics is not a spectator sport. Those who do not participate are destined to be governed by those who do.
That idea has never felt more relevant.
If You Don’t Participate, You Still Get the Outcome
Here’s the hard truth:
If we choose not to engage in the electoral process, we still get policies, priorities, and decisions—we just lose our voice in shaping them.
For business owners and employees alike, this matters deeply. Municipal decisions influence:
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Where and how businesses can operate
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Infrastructure investment
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Workforce housing availability
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Transportation and logistics
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Local economic development priorities
Yet many of the people most affected by these decisions sit out the very process designed to influence them.
A Simple Call to Action
My message—especially to business owners and their teams—is straightforward:
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Identify the issues that matter most to you
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For your family
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For your community
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For your business
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Prioritize those issues
You won’t find a candidate or party that checks every box. That’s reality. -
Vote for who aligns most closely
Democracy isn’t about perfection—it’s about choosing the best available option.
This applies whether you live in Victoria, Brentwood Bay, Saanich, or anywhere else. And it doesn’t stop at municipal politics. Federal and provincial elections matter too, especially when they shape economic policy, workforce development, and long-term investment.
Accountability Happens at the Ballot Box
Elected officials ultimately respond to pressure—and that pressure comes from participation.
If the majority of people are asking for “blue widgets” and leadership keeps delivering “red widgets,” accountability doesn’t come from complaining after the fact. It comes from voting. It comes from engagement. It comes from showing up.
At the end of the day, democracy only works when people participate.
If we want better outcomes—for our businesses, our communities, and future generations—we can’t afford to remain on the sidelines.