Dear Editor:
Two local stories show the importance of democracy, and what happens without it.
The Whitecaps' Queen's Park proposal has supporters and opponents, and they will all be heard, because mayor and city council are accountable to those same people, and they govern with a broad mandate to do what's best, all things considered. Because the city is a healthy democracy, we can have some confidence they will make the best decision overall.
The Port Metro Vancouver coal port approval is almost universally opposed, but all those people were ignored, because the port is not accountable to anyone, and it governs with a very narrow mandate - in its own mind, at least - to expand trade. This is not a democracy at all, we can have no such confidence in its decision.
Imagine how you would feel about the city's Whitecaps process if Queen's Park was run by a corporation with an appointed board, and a mandate to "expand sport."
Democracy doesn't matter, except when it's lacking.
Karl Maier, New Westminster
