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
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.