Toronto's ballot anger isn't likely to carry over to Vancouver's election next year.

“The revenge of the suburbs” is the best explanation that I have heard about Rob Ford’s victory yesterday.

And if the voter turnout is any indication, the Toronto electorate wanted vengeance – an amazing 53.2 per cent cast a ballot.

By contrast, the last election in Vancouver saw an embarrassing 31 per cent of registered voters turn up, which was the lowest participation rate in over fifty years.

Anger might have been the motivating factor, but as difficult as it is for me to admit, there was a message that Ford delivered that resonated with people.

Unfortunately for those of us who believe in the merits of results based on participatory democracy, I see nothing to propel voters to the same extent here in Vancouver.

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