Want to be a city councillor? Political push underway to open appointment process to all eligible
Required to fill two recently vacated seats on council, a pair of councillors want to hold an open call for applications.
But don’t bank on it launching a long political career.
Councillor Jesse Helmer and Councillor Maureen Cassidy have sent a letter to their colleagues ahead of next week’s council meeting that seeks to refer the appointment of new councillors to a meeting in mid-November.
Prior to that meeting, eligible applicants would be asked to submit a brief statement explaining why they would like to serve, their experience/qualifications, and whether they intend to seek the same council seat in the fall 2022 municipal election.
Cassidy says the intent of the letter is fairness and transparency, “Providing the opportunity to everybody who might be interested in serving to put their name forward.”
Last week, the Corporate Services Committee recommended council appoint John Fyfe-Millar in Ward 13 because he finished a close second during the 2018 election.
The same committee referred the more recent vacancy in Ward 6 to council without a recommended course of action.
“We should be treating both vacancies at the same time in the same way,” asserts Cassidy.
Councillor Shawn Lewis, however, believes Ward 13 has been without a councillor since August, requiring Fyfe-Millar’s appointment now.
“I reject the idea we need a one size fits all approach,” Lewis says.
He also disagrees with Cassidy’s desire that appointees should have no interest in seeking re-election, “I would rather have somebody who will run again, because then there’s an accountability to the electorate.”
“It’s not long enough for them to have accountability,” responds Cassidy. “The appointees would have the advantage of incumbency, but wouldn’t have a long voting record to be judged on.”
“Incumbency is not invulnerability,” argues Lewis. “I defeated a seven-term, 24-year incumbent. Six of us on council today defeated an incumbent to get their position.”
With two seats out of 15 suddenly vacant around the council horseshoe, the political implications of possible appointments can’t be ignored.
There are deep divisions on city council -- and a year left in the term.
The choices could shift the balance of power.
Informal campaigns and expressions of interest are already underway.
Mike Bloxam, who finished second in 2018 in Ward 6, has sent a letter to councillors promising not to seek re-election.
Dozens of letters supporting Fyfe-Millar as the next councillor in Ward 13 were submitted to the Corporate Services Committee last week.
Several former city councillors have made calls behind the scenes.
“This is not about shifting a balance of power, for me it’s about the best candidate for the job,” says Lewis.
Cassidy says the extra time taken to accept applications would lead to a better process.
“It’s not about a person, it’s not about a name, or who they are aligned with. It’s about an open and transparent process.”
Phil Squire resigned his Ward 6 seat to accept a seat on a provincial tribunal.
Arielle Kayabaga resigned her Ward 13 seat after being elected as the Member of Parliament for London West.
Council will discuss filling the vacancies October 26.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.