It should be no surprise to Victoria council watchers that Coun. Geoff Young is more at odds with the council majority than any other councillor.
What is new, however, is how easy it is to see and track councillor voting records now that the city has launched a new online council meeting “dashboard.”
According to the just-launched dashboard, Young was in opposition in 71 council votes, voted in favour 361 times, absented himself due to possible conflict five times and was absent for 41 votes.
That contrasted with Coun. Sarah Potts, who voted in favour of motions more than any other councillor: 481 times. She was opposed three times and absented herself due to possible conflict twice.
Victoria is following the lead of Vancouver with the launch of the capital region’s first online council meeting dashboard, said Mayor Lisa Helps, calling the initiative “another step in the city’s commitment to open government and transparency.”
The dashboard, which records votes at city council meetings, extends back to November — the start of this council’s four-year term.
How to use the city’s new councillor-voting tracker
• Users can search by keyword in the motion plus month and year, and further refine searches by council member or voting type (such as in favour, opposed, conflict or absent).
• Clicking on a motion links the user to the corresponding city council meeting agenda where the report is located, and brings up discussion in an archived webcast.
• For more information, go to victoria.ca/CouncilDashboard
