Want a higher quality of life? Vote for it.

My usual week includes commuter-biking, gardening, playing with the kids and walking around the neighbourhood – in other words, physical activity I can do without much scheduling or added effort. But recently I convinced myself to add weights to my ‘fitness routine’. I did it for all the usual health reasons and because as a woman, I’m terrified of losing mobility in my later years (weight bearing & resistance exercises are great for preventing osteoporosis).

And what did it take to get over the multi-year procrastination? Childcare in the recreation centre. Ok, I admit there was my own inertia and short list of poor excuses but by providing child-minding on site the community centre removed my biggest barrier.

A similar thing happened when I moved to Vancouver in the late 90’s. I was convinced that living in a busy city, I would have to give up my bike. So, imagine my delight when I discovered a network of bikeways along garden-lined neighbourhood streets. Instead, my partner and I sold our two cars and boogied around the city by bike, bus, on foot or the odd cab.

The connection here isn’t just physical activity but also quality of life arising from the decisions made by local governments. There is a great wealth of evidence about the economic and health benefits to communities that prioritize health-promoting environments and services.

And with the local government elections coming this Saturday, (November 19), there is the opportunity to vote for a healthier community.

It seems some people don’t vote because they feel they don’t know enough to make an informed decision. But considering the impact on your quality of life - it’s worth taking the time to read up on the candidates and see where they stand on issues such as affordable housing, transportation and land-use planning and recreation infrastructure.

BCHLA has created the Think Healthy, Vote Locally Guide to give you a quick overview of the healthy living issues. But if you haven’t decided who you’re going to vote for – you should just stop reading this right now. Move your cursor to the navigation bar and google your local candidates. Find out what they stand for, what their track record says about them and what their champions and detractors say. If you’re there already, then talk with your non-voting friends and encourage them to come along.

We all have a part to play in the health of our communities – on November 19th do your part – VOTE.

Rita Koutsodimos
Manager, Advocacy and Communications
November 2011