Municipal Election 2017

As we approach the election slated for October 16th , 2017 in our County, LSARA is beginning to focus on those that may be contemplating running for council.

The Municipal Government Act contains information to guide council with respect to their duties. Section 153 of the ACT specifically defines the General Duties of Council. We thought it prudent to identify these duties and attempt to speak to whether in our opinion, current council meets these guidelines.

1.  To consider the welfare and interests of the municipality as a whole and to bring to Councils attention anything that would promote the welfare or interests of the municipality.

In order to meet this component, current council would have voted alongside the Ratepayers as we advocated for bi elections to fill 2 vacant seats. The Ratepayers in Division 4 and 5 have been without representation and potentially impacted by some very big decisions such as new Divisional boundaries.

2.  To participate generally in developing and evaluating the policies and programs of the municipality.

This is a huge fail. As Ratepayers we have seen a rash of land use bylaws, landfill utilities, RV permitting to name a few, delivered by the Municipality with no plan in place to implement or manage. Land use bylaws that are not even understood by the very people who are tasked to provide permitting to implement them. Paid consultant firms who also don't understand what they have written and our County has put into these same bylaws.

3.  To participate in council meetings and council committee meetings and meetings of other bodies to which they are appointed by council.

So, 2 meetings per month as a regular council meeting. Planning commission meeting once a month. Meetings of other boards and Agencies to which you are appointed as Councils Representative. 

Conferences, conventions, seminars, and workshops for training and discussion. This "other" list has grown to the point that some councillors are being paid a full time wage by the time they collect their honorarium from some of these boards, the mileage from the County and their honorarium. $40,000 for a councillor, $46,000 for the deputy mayor and $52,000 for the mayor. 

The mileage expense is paid at the same rate as CRA. If a councillor sits on no boards, maximum 36 meetings a year and they collect $40,000. Some sit on many boards, some very few. Why, I ask do we have to send the entire council with administrators to these conferences? Seminars and workshops, same thing. Upwards of $5000 per participant for attendance in some of these ventures.

4.  To obtain information about the operation or Administration of the municipality from the chief administrative officer or a person designated by the chief administrative officer.

Have you ever asked your councillor a question to which he should know the answer? If you have, did you obtain an actual answer or did you receive a statement? A statement that was provided to your councillor and  they requested no further information from Administration, just accepted the response? 

Council does not make informed decisions as currently they are provided an agenda a few days prior to the meetings and they are given "options" to create motions and vote on. The gallery that may be present will never know what the "options" are nor what background information is provided as there is no transparency . When the minutes are published, the only "option" indicated is the selected one with a subsequent motion.

5.  To keep in confidence matter discussed in private at council or council committee meeting until discussed at a meeting held in public.

Current council and Administration utilize in camera to ensure no public outcry or input. In camera discussions are intended to be utilized only for the purpose of discussions related to personnel, intimate financial details in respect to a person, acquisition or disposition of property and litigation affecting the organization. That is not to say that these items 'must' be held in a closed session, but typically there may be a level of confidentiality required. However, in a public body, there should be ease of access to most documents. 

This public body should be transparent. LSARA should not be forced to access public County documents by way of FOIP Access requests.

6.  To perform any other duty or function imposed on councillors by this or any other enactment or by the council.

Basically anything Council agrees on to do as a duty can be imposed.

Sounds like a very daunting set of responsibilities doesn't it? I personally don't think so. How difficult can it be to be open, honest, inquiring and available to your constituents? To those very people who believed enough in you that they voted for you. 

The Municipal Government provides a sort of councillor boot camp wherein they provide direction on how to properly function as a councillor and as a council unit. This should be mandatory for all councillors to partake in so the duties are clear as are the expectations.

If you have a desire to work with your community, learn and understand Municipal Government, provide strong support to your Division, LSARA wants you! Actively seeking candidates for the 2017 election. 

For the benefit of the Ratepayers of Lac Ste Anne County, we respectfully request that you declare yourself so we can begin to orchestrate forums for you to meet the people and the people to meet you. 

Let's get these campaigns started!