Why Would Anyone Run for Municipal Office?

Full Panel
Transcript

Note to readers: This video session was transcribed using auto-transcribing software.  Questions or concerns with the transcription can be directed to events@canurb.org with “transcription” in the subject line.

Full Audience
Chatroom Transcript

Note to reader: Chat comments have been edited for ease of readability. The text has not been edited for spelling or grammar. For questions or concerns, please contact events@canurb.org with “Chat Comments” in the subject lin

From Canadian Urban Institute: You can find transcripts and recordings of today’s and all our webinars at https://canurb.org/citytalk

12:00:17 From Nick Hanson, CUI : Welcome to today’s CityTalk:
Why Would Anyone Run for Municipal Office?
12:01:24 From Nick Hanson, CUI : A friendly Zoom reminder — you can see and hear the panellists, but we can’t see or hear you .
12:02:25 From Nick Hanson, CUI : We are recording today’s session and will share it online at canurb.org/citytalk-canada/
12:03:10 From Pat Petrala : Greetings from Sunny White Rock BC, unceded Semiahmoo First Nations & Coast Salish peoples lands.
12:03:44 From Purshottama Reddy : Hello, from Durban, South Africa.
12:04:13 From Nick Hanson, CUI : Welcome to Kate Graham
Professor, Huron University College & Senior Advisor, Colliers Project Leaders (London)
12:04:19 From Nick Hanson, CUI : Kate researches, writes, speaks and teaches about politics in Canada and supports municipal governments across Canada in areas of governance, council-staff relations, decision making and priority setting. She holds a PhD in Political Science and teaches at Huron University College and Western University. Before entering academia, Kate spent a decade working in local government, most recently as the Director, Community & Economic Innovation at the City of London. She was the youngest member of the senior leadership team and received a Top 20 Under 40 award for her work in this role.
She is a three-time published book author including as co-author of the textbook, Local Government in Practice: Cases in Governance, Planning and Policy (2019). Kate is an active politico, including running for Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party in 2020 and leading the party’s platform in 2022.
12:04:41 From Sarah Woodgate : Hello Everyone! Sarah Woodgate from Calgary Mokinstis! Great to see this talented panel today from my three home cities!
12:06:09 From Nick Hanson, CUI : We invite you to introduce yourself (and where you are located) in the chat
12:06:16 From Don Strickland : Welcome to Kings University College and Hi Kate who taught me Federal Election School last year in London ON
12:06:17 From Nick Hanson, CUI : We hope this session is as interactive as possible, so please feel free to share comments, references, links or questions in the chat
12:06:29 From Brandon Van Dam : Brandon Van Dam (Kitchener, ON)
12:06:49 From Bronwynne Wilton : Bronwynne Wilton, Centre Wellington, ON
12:06:59 From Guhad Hersi to Hosts and panelists : Greetings from Toronto.
12:07:04 From ANDREA BETTY : Penetanguishene Ontario!
12:07:13 From Yalini Vijayanathen : Yalini Vijayanathen, Scarborough ON
12:07:23 From Nathan Rogers : Halifax, NS
12:07:33 From Nick Hanson, CUI : Welcome to Naheed Nenshi
Former Mayor (Calgary)
12:07:37 From Nick Hanson, CUI : PEI
12:07:47 From Nick Hanson, CUI : Naheed Nenshi, A’paistootsiipsii, was sworn in as Calgary’s 36th mayor on October 25, 2010 and was re-elected in 2013 and 2017.
Mayor Nenshi was named a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum, was awarded the President’s Award from the Canadian Institute of Planners and received the Humanitarian Award from the Canadian Psychological Association. In 2013, after his stewardship of the community during devastating flooding, Maclean’s called him the second-most influential person in Canada. He was also awarded the 2014 World Mayor Prize by the City Mayor’s Foundation as the best mayor in the world.
Prior to politics, Naheed worked with McKinsey and Company and later formed own business to help public, private and non-profit organizations grow. He also served as Canada’s first tenured professor in the field of nonprofit management at Mount Royal University.
12:08:00 From Emily Campbell to Hosts and panelists : Hello all! Emily Campbell joining from Calgary. Keenly interested in municipal politics and looking forward to this panel.
12:08:30 From Patricia Lewis : Perth-Wellington riding (Stratford, Ontario area) is not allowing voting in person. Must be done online or on phone. How does this help with voter turnout? Also voter list only includes people who own property, so dismisses seniors or low income individuals living in rental units.
12:08:35 From Stewart McDonough : Data on Ontario elections available on AMO’s website https://www.amo.on.ca/municipal-election-statistics
12:09:51 From Nick Hanson, CUI : When posting in the chat, make sure the blue button says “Everyone.” (If it doesn’t, you can click the little triangle and change the setting)
12:10:20 From Stewart McDonough : Of 417 municipal elections in Ontario, 139 mayors or reeves and 32 councils acclaimed as was mentioned. Small uptick in women running. Significant decrease in candidates running over the last two elections.
12:11:49 From Caneron Charlebois : There are municipal political parties in Quebec/Montreal. It seems to work OK?
12:12:28 From Florence Morestin : Also municipal political parties in Vancouver
12:13:17 From Kirsten Frankish : I think there’s often a lack of understanding of what municipalities are responsible for and involved with. A greater understanding of the significant impacts and responsibilities would possibly garner more interest and engagement.
12:13:35 From Kirsten Frankish : By the public, I mean
12:13:43 From Purshottama Reddy : Party politics is an impediment to good local governance. There is no politics in basic services provision.
12:14:23 From Nick Hanson, CUI : Christopher Cheung from The Tyee explains why so many political brands have emerged in Vancouver’s municipal landscape. https://thetyee.ca/Analysis/2022/09/12/So-Many-Parties-Your-Guide-Vancouver-Crowded-Election/?mc_cid=0687b85567&mc_eid=369d3fe825
12:14:36 From Nick Hanson, CUI : Welcome to Tenille Bonoguore
City Councillor (Waterloo)
12:14:42 From Nick Hanson, CUI : Tenille is an award-winning journalist and science writer, a mom, and passionate community-builder.
After moving to Waterloo in 2010, she founded the WR Arts Award-winning Grand Porch Party, has sat on environmental and community boards, regularly appeared on CBC Kitchener-Waterloo as their parenting columnist, and has actively contributed to making her adopted city as vibrant and inclusive as possible.
Tenille is also the mum of two amazing little girls, step-mum to two wonderful young men, and an immigrant who is terrible at walking on icy sidewalks.
12:18:29 From Nathan Rogers : Within some Towns, municipalities, etc, in Nova Scotia – the Province is responsible for streets. Not so in Halifax but smaller communities
12:18:36 From Stanley Lee : How much privilege do you think the politicians have in order to compete/serve in the city councilor roles?
12:18:52 From Pat Petrala : WHY not have compulsory 12-20 hours PRE-election candidate workshops to qualify, with test – self assessment. Screen out time waters like “Mr. Poop/Victoria”, EGO brand marketing motivations & motivations. LACK of understanding of civic responsibilities, roles & not micro manage staff like some corporate boards. Jurisdiction lines, misguided ideological resolutions and committees which waste time for staff to do reports that echo prior ones. FCM could set a basic section & cities have another session.
12:19:47 From Pat Petrala : Politics and Public Life is a lifestyle job
12:19:56 From Nick Hanson, CUI : Welcome to Druh Farrell
Former City Councillor (Calgary)
12:20:04 From Nick Hanson, CUI : Druh Farrell is a born-and-raised Calgarian and a long-time resident of Ward 7, where she served as City Councillor from 2001-2021.
Prior to being elected, Druh was a fashion designer and clothing manufacturer, and served as board member of the Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Association, chairwoman of the Inner-City Coalition, and manager of the Kensington Business Revitalization Zone Association.
12:21:39 From Nathan Rogers : Is the total benefit package more attractive at Federal / Provincial orders than Municipal? I suspect yes
12:23:01 From Nathan Rogers : I like the angel wings
12:24:08 From Petra Wolfbeiss : It is important that Druh raised the issue of online and other bullying and abuse. AMO is looking at strategies to support our members in this area. We are aware of a number of folks who are stepping away from running because of this. Druh said it is a strategy to distract and push people off the idea and commitment of public service. But it is real and has a toll. I would like to get a better idea Druh of how you work through it…and others.
12:27:51 From Alysson Storey : I would love to see this from AMO (and any other interested organization). When I ran for Mayor in the last election (the sole female in a field with 5 men), I was harassed and bullied, both online and in person, on a daily (sometimes hourly) basis, for the entire campaign (6 months). I had to get police involved more than once. I have had multiple women in my community tell me they would never consider running after watching what I went through. So the silencing effect is real. On the plus side (so I don’t sound too negative!) I am running for Council this time and have experienced much less abuse, but I deliberately did not run for Mayor again because of the harassment me and my family endured last time. I felt like I would be less of a target running for Council (which seems to be true so far). Needless to say I have LOTS of thoughts about this LOL. Appreciate this issue being raised.
12:28:38 From Jacquetta newman : Problem is the microaggressions and behavior on the council floor. I have a report done with students about the spoken and unspoken sexism that occurred on the London City Council.
12:29:57 From Pat Petrala : I observe the entanglements/alliances of fed/Prov party workers, phone banks, emails and social media mobilization & influence getting stronger at civic level. The votes 4 key persons reflect same “party” e.g. postal code results – 1,380 for MP. MLA & the partisan block at city hall.
12:31:22 From Petra Wolfbeiss : Jacquetta and Alysson would love to connect with you offline at some point. pwolfbeiss@amo.on.ca
12:32:01 From Patrick Kyba : Is the “nastiness” being discussed for municipal elections different for municipal elections vs. provincial/federal elections?
12:32:12 From Pat Petrala : Will the chat remarks be shared after with the replay link?
12:33:05 From Alysson Storey : Hi Naheed!
12:33:21 From Nick Hanson, CUI : Pat: Yes, the chat is posted, along with the video and transcript
12:33:44 From Jared Kolb : In Toronto, in 2022 there are half the number of people running for city council as in 2018.
12:34:16 From Aleem Kanji : AMO and FCM indeed are the Association of Old White Men. If you have ever gone to these conferences, you know what I’m talking about
12:35:39 From Rylan Graham to Hosts and panelists : I wonder if Councillor as a “full-time” position versus a “part-time” position also influences who decides to run for office? And at what point in its evolution does a municipality make the switch.
12:36:14 From Nick Hanson, CUI : Do you have specific questions for the panellists? Post them in the chat, and we’ll try to answer as many as possible.
12:36:33 From Petra Wolfbeiss : AMO and FCM, often together are committed to diversifying voices and who sits around the council table. We recognize that community development, democracy, establishing the best services can only happen when underrepresented groups and individuals have a voice and position.
12:37:58 From Rylan Graham : I wonder if Councillor as a “full-time” position versus a “part-time” position also influences who can or decides to run for office? And at what point in its evolution does a municipality make the switch to full-time councillors?
12:38:06 From Bronwynne Wilton : I was told by a mayoral candidate in my township that he didn’t care about diversity at the Council table. The context was when he was telling me he would be endorsing an older retired man to run against me in my ward.
12:38:07 From Aleem Kanji : That’s a pithy statement Petra. What specifically are you doing to push under representation? How are you measuring success and what are your metrics?
12:38:39 From Petra Wolfbeiss : Quite a bit and would be happy to discuss.
12:38:53 From Pat Petrala : Do women candidates/past candidate join EQUAL voice the strongest national Women & political network? Can we encourage it please? Patrons and mentors will be useful for next generations I went to different Women Campaign Schools over years, some got elected. Some chose to be active in community vs public office & collaborate WITH the women who have been elected.
12:39:02 From Alison McDonald to Hosts and panelists : As someone running for the first time, I plan to maintain my full time job while serving (if elected)
12:39:31 From Suzanne Kavanagh : In Toronto it is challenging for new candidates. Often times they need to step away from their jobs whereas incumbents keep their salaries as Councillors.
12:39:36 From Nick Hanson, CUI : As part of the Toward Parity Project, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) compiled practical strategies for overcoming the obstacles that prevent women from fully participating in municipal politics. https://data.fcm.ca/documents/programs/wilg/fcm-toward-parity-inventory.pdf?mc_cid=0687b85567&mc_eid=369d3fe825
12:39:39 From Jared Kolb : Hypothesis: turnout was so low in Ontario – and will be again this October – because people are utterly exhausted politically and civically coming out of the pandemic
12:41:15 From Aleem Kanji : We will see a historic low voter turnout in Canada’s principal city on Oct 24 in the municipal elections. There is no G7 or G20 principal city that has this low interest in its municipal election.
12:42:01 From Jacquetta newman : “Anger farming”
12:42:02 From Sarah Woodgate : What systems or new approaches might create a safe inspiring environment for people to choose to run for office across Canada for municipal government? Top missing elements today? 1. Salary and Compensation especially small municipalities 2. Measures for Safety, harrassment and boundaries for politicians 3. Focus on Public Board and Commission equity reform with equity lens and community associations 4. Elevating the voice of non-voters 5. Other? Are there missing national tools that could support this?
12:43:43 From Kate, Canadian Urban Institute : “The function, the very serious function of racism is distraction. It keeps you from doing your work. It keeps you explaining, over and over again, your reason for being.” – Toni Morrison
12:43:45 From Alysson Storey : I have knocked on thousands of doors over the past 8 weeks Jared – I completely agree on the exhaustion element (heck, I still feel exhausted). We had a very taxing and arduous provincial election barely five months ago. It’s so hard to measure municipal election interest in smaller communities but I have genuinely no idea what our turnout will be in my community (Chatham-Kent).
12:43:47 From Patrick Kyba : Provincial and federal politics also suffer from our first past the post voting method. This is a much less of an issue with municipal politics, particularly if the municipality doesn’t have specific wards so citizens can vote for ALL of council.
12:44:13 From Pat Petrala : PUBLIC EYE – Brand/name recognition over time is a valid lever to run for office. Knocking on doors, got delightful responses that they knew my name – because I wrote letter to editor which they agreed with. I wrote constructive remarks versus judgemental ones for Council & of course, sent letters to Council on same thing. I advocated with staff to help shepherd the better solution as Councils idea.
12:45:57 From Brandon Van Dam : Interesting to see the far-right borrowing from the US with a focus of filling school board trustees who are racism, homophobic, transphobic, etc. It has even got the attention of corporate Canada such as Ben & Jerry’s
12:46:28 From Brandon Van Dam : https://www.benandjerrys.ca/en/whats-new/2022/10/vote-in-city-elections
12:49:21 From Jared Kolb : Alysson, I’m also curious about trust and engagement. When our worlds became so very small and limited during the pandemic, when we stayed home and didn’t engage with our communities, to what degree has our sense of civics calcified. Why would I care about other residents in my city? There’s so much that needs to be built and re-built from the ground up. Agree with Naheed’s notion of simple ways to restore social capital.
12:49:33 From Pat Petrala : YEP, observe patterns of building social capital by ROTARY – which have been main backers of many elections – candidate grooming, name recognition, fund raising, networks over time. The elite club & expensive obligations can be a barrier for newcomers & low income folks.
12:50:51 From Alysson Storey : Jared – excellent point. And agree with your and Naheed’s point. We must restore the social capital, we lose it at our peril, permanently.
12:51:11 From Naheed Nenshi : @aleem no, there’s no election in Calgary on Oct 24
12:51:46 From Stewart McDonough : Hey Naheed, I miss the 3 Things for Canada days! Nice to see you.
12:51:54 From Aleem Kanji : Note to all: Naheed was born in Downtown Toronto!
12:52:06 From Emily Campbell : Part of the challenge of “telling our own stories” is the shrinking local news media
12:52:59 From Sarah Woodgate : Prominent culture today is focussed on me vs we. What are candidates doing for me vs societal good. How can focus shift to collective as described by Naheed.
12:55:02 From Aleem Kanji : Local politics in Canada’s principal city: https://twitter.com/brandongonez/status/1577270989531979777?s=21&t=6NwsWAl_QAnd0DOrQ8k5Ug
12:56:00 From Pat Petrala : Uniti – Harmony House ”inclusive” project has been a 10+ year challenge to get purpose-built rentals. Intense year of mobilizing advocacy, shaming arbitrary rejection and respected public champions finally got it approved – last co0unsil meeting; the other 49 project McCullum’s block put through another matter. Doug Tennant @DouglasRTennant follow & learn
12:59:15 From Druh Farrell : I ran in 2001 on lowering speed limits.
13:00:34 From Dr. Kate Graham (she/her) to Hosts and panelists : GO VOTE!
13:00:35 From Nick Hanson, CUI to Hosts and panelists : Join us for our next CityTalk: “”How Do We Bring More Diversity to Housing Policy?” on Thursday, October 27.
13:00:57 From Nick Hanson, CUI : Please help us thank today’s CityTalk panellists:
Tenille Bonoguore — City Councillor, Waterloo
Druh Farrell — Former City Councillor, Calgary
Kate Graham — Professor, Huron University College & Senior Advisor, Colliers Project Leaders, London
Naheed Nenshi — Former Mayor, Calgary
13:01:13 From Petra Wolfbeiss : Great discussion-thank you
13:01:21 From Caneron Charlebois : Bravo to all. Thanks!!!
13:01:26 From john beebe : Thanks to everyone! Yes, to giving people power.
13:01:32 From Allison Ashcroft : So great to see you again Kate, I love everything you prioritize and how you express it. So authentic with great empathy and humility.
13:01:35 From Alysson Storey : I could listen to all of you for another afternoon! Very thankful for your service, and for sharing your perspectives.
13:01:39 From Florence Morestin : thank you, very enlightening discussion!
13:01:39 From Barb Dupuis : Thank you!
13:01:42 From Zahireen Tarefdar : Thanks so much everyone!!! Fantastic discussion
13:01:55 From Susan Harrington : Thank you so much – very inspiring !
13:01:58 From Sarah Woodgate : Thank-you paneliats amazing discussion. Thanks to CUI for this topic today!
13:02:03 From Robin McPherson : Thank you for this! I’ve got to go and knock on doors!
13:02:07 From Annamarie Burgess : Thank you, amazing discussion indeed!
13:02:20 From Nick Hanson, CUI : Join us for our next CityTalk: “How Do We Bring More Diversity to Housing Policy?” on Thursday, October 27. RSVP at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/4516656018484/WN_cp8kfnlTSsOrzoG9rpJM_g
13:02:22 From Bronwynne Wilton : Thank you! I feel inspired about joining our local council in a couple of weeks!
13:02:23 From Allison Ashcroft : Another stellar citytalk Mary!
13:02:25 From dan schumacher : Thank you in advance for your community service
13:02:26 From Sarah Woodgate : Great to see you again Kate!
13:02:28 From Rosa Jones to Hosts and panelists : Thank you! Enjoyed your discussion. Best of luck!
13:02:34 From Sabreena Delhon : Thanks so much!