r/vancouver • u/harlotstoast • 1d ago
Discussion TIL: Stratas are required to allow election canvassers into their buildings during an election.
Not a great thing from a security point of view. But I suppose I buzz in a dozen Amazon employees every month.
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u/greynut 1d ago
Hi volunteer canvasser here -- I can't speak for everyone but I personally believe being a huge bother and imposition to anyone is the best way to lose their vote so it legit is ok to ignore our knock. (I usually knock three times, wait three to five seconds, leave a card, then say bye).
Oh if you'd prefer to not be canvassed next time, tell us too. We'll mark you down and your door should be a "don't knock" for next time (or at least that's what I've been told).
Also we're just there to know your preference/probability of voting for the candidate/party we're canvassing -- trying to win you over is waaaay above my non-existent pay grade so please don't feel awkward saying you're voting for the other guy, or you would've voted us but A or B or C.
And if it helps -- normally we knock on doors during the day until around 7/8pm, depending on the sun/weather.
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u/RiehlDeal Grandview-Woodland 1d ago
You are 100% correct that the best way to lose a vote is being a bother. In my riding the incumbent has been sending me junk mail, calling my phone with some recorded message, texting me, all that jazz... They are probably 95% likely to get reelected but I will not be voting for them... Stop bugging me
16
u/hebrewchucknorris 1d ago edited 1d ago
So no thought of actual policy in your decision, just who bugs you the least? Is that really the voting criteria people use these days?
Who bugs me or not is way way at the bottom of my list, right next to what tie they wear, or how far apart their eyes are.
- Policy of party
- Voting record
- Scandals/gaffs
- Strategic considerations
....
....
630. They bug me-7
u/RiehlDeal Grandview-Woodland 1d ago
Like I said, the incumbent in my riding is as close to a sure thing as you can get. My vote isn't going to change that. In all but 2 elections since the riding was formed (I don't know what it's actually called... created?) it has been the same party winning. So yes, them bugging me is enough for me to say "not you".
167
u/Angry_beaver_1867 1d ago
I guess it makes sense. Otherwise a strata might allow one party in but not others.
By removing discretion they ensure fairness.
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u/LoetK Certified Barge Enthusiast 1d ago
That's a good point. If I were on council I'd send out a heads-up to owners before they get into an indignant rage if a canvasser comes knocking.
7
u/SnoozingClementine 1d ago
When I went to visit my friend last weekend there was notice of a canvasser coming in the elevator, but maybe that’s not the norm?
8
u/_PeanuT_MonkeY_ 1d ago
Our strata send out a notice last week that by law they have to allow so just a heads up. I think every strata should communicate such things. I'd rather not be surprised to see strangers at my door.
2
u/touchable 1d ago
Ours sends this notice out about a month before every election, Provincial or federal at least. Can't recall if they did for municipal.
42
u/Street_Barnacle4561 1d ago
It’s the law, and strata’s have to let you put a sign up if you so choose
30
u/FacelessOldWoman1234 1d ago
But only on your own property, not common property. That may mean that you can put a sign in your window but nowhere else.
9
u/Distinct_Meringue 1d ago
https://www.elections.ca/content2.aspx?section=faq&document=faqelsi&lang=e#elsi7
My reading of this is that limited common property like balconies are allowed as well
14
u/Lamitamo 1d ago
Limited common property like a balcony is fine.
Common property like the lawn, mailroom, inside the elevator: not okay.
4
u/FacelessOldWoman1234 1d ago
Iiiiiinteresting. That is not what the email from our property management company said. Brb sending an email to strata.
3
u/Distinct_Meringue 1d ago
To be fair, I am not a lawyer and I may be misinterpreting this.
2
u/jtbc 1d ago
I've worked as a volunteer on about a dozen campaigns at all three levels of government and that is my understanding of the law, as taught to me by actual lawyers.
If you live within some defined distance of a polling place, you have to take it down on election day, and probably for advanced polling as well.
1
u/FacelessOldWoman1234 1d ago
I hear you. I read the link though, and I agree with your interpretation.
6
16
u/ThatLightingGuy 1d ago
Former strata manager. This is correct: a strata does have to provide access. The canvassers will carry identification, they will identify themselves as canvassers, and they will absolutely not object to a chaperone while in the building. If they refuse to identify themselves, you do not have to take their word that they are canvassers.
This is a good guide to what is allowed: https://visoa.bc.ca/resources/election-signs-and-access-for-canvassers/
You, as an individual occupant of the building, are not required to provide them access unless you want to. You can provide them with contact information for your strata council or the management company, who can then arrange access. You are not "in control" of the building.
You also are not required to let them leave literature/flyers in your common areas and you as a strata are able to restrict signage in common areas. So if you have a rule against putting things on doors, then that applies equally to everything on a door; however, occupants are allowed to display things in their lot, like in a window or a garden.
I've had canvassers insist in the past that they're allowed by law to leave reading material in the common spaces and that is not correct, you can tell them they're not allowed to do that, but you need to make sure that is applied equally and to your strata rules.
2
u/ClumsyRainbow 1d ago
You also are not required to let them leave literature/flyers in your common areas and you as a strata are able to restrict signage in common areas. So if you have a rule against putting things on doors, then that applies equally to everything on a door; however, occupants are allowed to display things in their lot, like in a window or a garden.
We are however allowed to campaign in common areas, per the elections act.
2
u/ThatLightingGuy 1d ago
Of course! We had a party stand around in the lobby of a particularly large building and just get people coming in the door. Less walking around.
5
u/superboringkid Brighouse 1d ago
Can someone link the law or whatever precedent to this? Genuinely curious.
4
u/ThatLightingGuy 1d ago
https://visoa.bc.ca/resources/election-signs-and-access-for-canvassers/
Kind of a TLDR plus links to the relevant acts.
2
u/p2r2t Brentwood 1d ago
This is a document that my strata received: https://limewire.com/d/GivW7#DzX8b1b02L
18
u/hedekar 1d ago
I have heard from candidates and canvassers who have tried, that condo residents don't take kindly to door knocks once you've been let in by the strata.
3
u/the_great_mycroft 1d ago
In the past I've had to call the cops to let the guard know that they have to let us in.
2
2
u/Available-Risk-5918 1d ago
Got chased out of the One Burrard in October as an NDP campaign volunteer
8
u/abnewwest 1d ago
Considering most don't let an ambulance crew into an elevator I wouldn't hold my breath
18
u/TheLittlestOneHere 1d ago
Strata has to, I don't.
5
u/Fixerguy 1d ago
Correct. As a resident you have no responsibility to let them in to the building, that's up to the building management.
4
u/AngryGooseMan 1d ago
What do you mean? You're not required to let them into the house or even open the door for them 😂
11
3
u/Hellfiger 1d ago
I was shoked when after knocking my door they turned the door handle to open it! That was so unprofessional. I was so pissed off
1
u/MennoMateo Joyce - Collingwood 1d ago
Yeah, that's a no go. Hence why if they do ask my strata I'll be escorting them through the building.
-36
u/p2r2t Brentwood 1d ago
The liberal candidate's team of my riding sent our strata a demanding email threatening legal penalties if they are not allowed in and that too in their very first correspondence. Lost my vote right there.. they could have made that same request nicely stating that it's required by law but instead they chose to use demanding and threatening language.
27
u/andy_soreal 1d ago
People who vote like this is crazy to me. What a sheltered existence if that’s the biggest issue you have going into the election.
-16
u/p2r2t Brentwood 1d ago
So you don't think the candidate representing you and his team should be respectful to the people in their riding? The way someone puts a message across makes a difference to me at least. We all have our own opinions and to me the way that email was worded did not seem pleasant at all and I wouldn't want that person representing me in the government.
16
u/andy_soreal 1d ago
That’s totally fair and it would absolutely come into consideration for my vote but you’ve framed this as being the single solitary reason you are going to be voting for whoever you want to lead for the next couple of years. I’m not letting a single isolated action determine how I want the next couple of years of my life to look.
-15
u/Canadian_mk11 Barge Beach Chiller 1d ago
Not at all. Being calm and rational is a desirable trait in a politician.
1
u/ClumsyRainbow 1d ago
It is true though, the max penalty is 6 months imprisonment, or a $5k fine IIRC.
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