As Metro Vancouver citizens prepare to head to the polls next month, Vancouver-based start-up PlaceSpeak has made it easier for residents to engage with each other to discuss the local election issues that are most important to them in their own municipalities.
Using their unique geo-verification platform, PlaceSpeak has created topic pages for metro Vancouver’s five largest cities, including Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, and Coquitlam. In the coming weeks, PlaceSpeak will be expanding the topics to include other metro municipalities.
On each city’s local topic page users will find information regarding the candidates, how and where to vote, a calender of important events, surveys, and—most importantly—a forum where they can discuss the issues that interest them most in their own neighbourhoods. Residents can ‘claim their place’ and join the discussion at www.placespeak.com.
PlaceSpeak is a non-partisan platform. The objective is to familiarize residents with key election issues and to encourage relevant, respectful discussions with one another in their local areas. PlaceSpeak is deeply concerned about the declining voter turnout in recent elections; according to PlaceSpeak CEO Colleen Hardwick:
“A more informed—and engaged—resident is a more likely voter.”
PlaceSpeak is a location-based online community consultation platform that connects people’s online identities with their residential addresses so that they can voice their opinions on local issues electronically in an authentic and meaningful way.
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