Thank You for Standing Up for Our Democracy

Thank you to the Richmond residents—and Canadians from across the country—who took the time to write letters, make phone calls, and sign the Stop MP Double Dipping petition.

Civic engagement like this is not easy. It takes time, attention, and the willingness to speak up when something doesn’t feel right.

But this is exactly what a healthy democracy requires.

Over the past weeks, many residents raised concerns about elected officials holding two paid public offices at the same time, and about resignation decisions being tied to conditions that limit democratic choice. Regardless of political affiliation, Canadians instinctively understand that one office should mean one mandate and full accountability.

Your voices mattered because this issue goes beyond any one politician or any one city. It goes to the heart of how we protect public trust in our institutions—and how we prevent ethical shortcuts from becoming normalized.

Four provinces in Canada have already recognized this risk and acted to make double dipping illegal. At the federal level, that work is not finished.

That’s why the petition will continue until Parliament acts.

👉 Sign or share the petition to Stop MP Double Dipping:https://www.change.org/p/stop-canadian-mps-from-double-dipping

Democracy doesn’t defend itself. It only works when citizens are willing to stand up for it.

Watch the following presentation on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/YO4CSVcVPY8?si=WdbNVOdbW057jp70

News has confirmed that Chak Au will resign his seat on Richmond City Council on Sunday Feb.1st — but only after Council passed a motion agreeing not to hold a municipal by-election before the next general election.

That’s not just an announcement — it’s a condition.

In Canada, elections and by-elections are essential democratic tools.

They are not optional conveniences.

They are the ways voters choose who represents them, and they are protected by law and democratic norms.

According to the Parliament of Canada’s own research and guidance on ethical expectations for Members of Parliament, MPs are expected to act with integrity, place the public interest above personal interest, and avoid conduct that undermines trust in Parliament and democratic institutions.

When an MP uses the leverage of his resignation to pressure a municipal council to eliminate a democratic procedure — not because of law, but because it suits his timeline — that sends the wrong message.

It signals that democracy can be bargained away based on political convenience.

Here’s the stark contrast:

• In Richmond, Mr. Au argued a by-election was too costly — conditioning his resignation on council taking that choice off the table.

• Nationally, when the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, Pierre Poilievre, lost his seat, a by-election costing nearly $2 million proceeded, unquestioned.

So, the question becomes: Is democracy “too expensive” only when it’s inconvenient?

This is not about political affiliation. It’s about ethical consistency — something our institutions depend on.

That’s why the petition I started to Stop MP Double Dipping at the federal level will continue until Parliament adopts it into law.

Four provinces have already taken action to make this unethical practice illegal because they recognize that holding two elected offices at once erodes public confidence.

We cannot normalize conditioning democratic rights on political strategy.

We cannot accept leadership that trades democratic choice for personal comfort.

As a council candidate, my commitment is clear:

One role. One mandate. Full accountability — always.

Let’s choose democracy over convenience.

Integrity over negotiation.

And say NO to double-dipping and conditional leadership that undermines trust in our institutions.

Thank you.

Jerome Dickey