In an effort to improve voter turnout and encourage youth to engage with politics, the District of Kitimat in northwest B.C. is running a separate mayoral campaign — for dogs.
On general election day Oct. 17, residents of all ages will be able to cast their ballots and vote for either Gus or Koko, in addition to the usual voting for mayor and council.
During the last municipal election, voter turnout was just 21 per cent, said Cameron Orr, the business and communications manager for the district of Kitimat.
In fact, voter turnout for the district has been gradually dropping over the last several elections, he explained.
So, it was time to get creative.
“We were just thinking about some ways that we can make it more exciting and encourage more people to come out and vote,” said Orr.
“[We] thought, dogs can be a really great spokesperson for the community, and that kids would enjoy it and it would get a bit of attention.”
Both canines have been campaigning diligently by visiting local classrooms, and even marching in the Canada Day parade on July 1.
The hope is that children will encourage their families to vote on the election day, said Orr, and so far the reaction has been positive.
“The kids go crazy for the dogs, they love seeing them,” said Orr.
“There’s been some really interesting questions. The kids seem to be really paying attention to the campaign promises, and what the dogs have in mind for the community.”
Some have even drawn campaign signs for their candidate of choice, he added, and parents have told him about their children debating with each other on the way to school.
Koko, a goldendoodle, promises pet-friendly emergency sirens and “dog days” at the local pool.
Her owner and spokesperson, Dawn Adams, said Koko loves children, frisbee and walks in the park.
As a responsible mayoral hopeful, Koko also gets her teeth brushed every night, and “will remind you if you forget.”
Koko is campaigning on promises of pet-friendly emergency sirens and dog days at the local pool. (Cameron Orr/District of Kitimat)
“She’s just super happy to come out and say hi to people and meet people and get kids interested,” said Adams.
“I do hear from time to time when I’m out and about, people ask me, where’s your dog? Where’s Koko? We want to see Koko. And then it gets the questions going.”
Meanwhile, Gus, an Australian Labradoodle, is campaigning on more fire hydrants “for obvious reasons” and improved poop bag access in local parks.
Gus and his owner were unavailable for an interview with CBC News.
However, a campaign statement says Gus would make Kitimat “better and more pet-friendly than ever.”
“Together, we will achieve a better, and fuzzier future,” it reads.
Gus is hoping to win voters over with a promise of a ‘better and fuzzier future.’ (Cameron Orr/District of Kitimat)
The district says the platforms do not represent actual campaign promises, and that the role is largely ceremonial.
The winning candidate will serve out a four-year term alongside the Kitimat mayor.
Voters can cast their ballot for either Koko or Gus at a dedicated ballot box at Kitimat polling stations.
Results from the race for dog mayor will be posted on District of Kitimat social media pages on Monday.
