Lake Cowichan Mayor urges support for election respect pledge

Lake Cowichan Mayor Tim McGonigle is calling on politicians across Canada to support the ‘Elect Respect pledge’. In a letter sent to various municipal associations, including the Union of BC Municipalities and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, McGonigle urged leaders to commit to a respectful election process.

The pledge, founded by Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward, aims to uphold democratic values by ensuring officials can work without threats, abuse, or intimidation. Signatories commit to treating others with respect in public and online spaces, focusing debates on policy rather than personal attacks, and helping to build a supportive culture for candidates of all backgrounds.

In addition to the Lake Cowichan council, the City of Duncan and the Cowichan Valley Regional District have already endorsed the initiative.