We are on the eve of what is arguably the dullest municipal election in the history of Kingston at a time when the city is in particularly dire need of strong leadership, civic spirit and community involvement.
Kingston faces major financial challenges due to pandemic costs and losses, along with other major issues like debt, inflation, public safety, homelessness and the lack of affordable housing, to name but a few.
Currently, we have one of the highest per capita debt levels of any municipality in Ontario. Taxpayers should be praying that interest rates remain low and that we elect a responsible council to deal with the foreseen and unforeseen.
There has been little buzz around this election---only tepid platforms, mostly polite debate and a somewhat lackluster parade of candidates. Lingering health concerns provided excuses for limited debates and public participation.
If the Grinch stole Christmas, who has taken the fun out of elections?
City council partly brought this upon itself by making this the first municipal election that bans campaign signs on public property.
The policy boasts how environmentally pure we are as a clutter-free community---but it also helps reduce elections to just another tradition many would rather ignore. It lowers the profile of politicians and diminishes the vital role they play in the democratic process and the health and stability of our community.
Too many of us are either too lazy or too cynical (even too angry?) to follow municipal politics and make the effort to find out what the issues are, who our candidates are and what they stand for or against.
With all the communications tools available today, you might think it easier than ever to be well informed about the process and the players. But with 45 candidates in Kingston seeking the 13 positions of mayor and district councillor (plus school trustees) it’s easy to get confused or lost.
Choosing the only name that sounds familiar? The only candidate who left a card in your front door? That’s not good enough in these days of complex issues calling for experience and knowledge---not to mention long hours in boring meetings and the ability to withstand abuse from those eager to oppose or support a cause or project.
Did I mention that these council members oversee an operating budget of more than $ 400 million a year and will decide how much property tax you pay next year to afford and safeguard vital services?
Many tend not to follow politics until an issue comes along that affects them personally.
Maybe you’re fed up with pot holes. Are you happy that year after year Kingston wins awards for having some of the worst streets in the province?
Angry that Sir John A. Macdonald’s statue was hauled down and carted off from City Park and now lies hidden away in a city-owned storage facility? Your mayor and probably your councillor voted for that action in a 12 to 1 decision by council.
Often, a councillor will champion a cause and convince colleagues to follow the lead of another municipality---usually one much larger than our own and with a stronger tax base.
For example, council earlier this year voted to spend $ 10,000 to help fight Quebec’s Bill 21 that will prohibit the wearing of religious symbols by certain Quebec public sector employees, including teachers. The money will help fund a legal challenge as the issue makes its way to the Supreme Court.
Supporters saw the move as a way to showcase Kingson’s respect for diversity and human rights.
There are some good candidates in the crop of council candidates ---and some who aren’t so good.
The reason one candidate gave for putting her name forward was: “I like helping people.” Well, lady, there are dozens of other ways to do that for which you may be better qualified. Holding elective office goes far beyond benevolence and community service. It is a job and a very difficult one at that. These are tough times calling for tough decisions.
Another candidate wants to solve the affordable housing shortage by taking money out of the police budget. No doubt she has been impressed by the “defund the police” faction in the U.S. The slogan has petered out since folks there realized they need the police after all.
Then there is the candidate who would put solar panels on City Hall. Wait till the heritage defenders get their teeth into that one.
A newcomer to the political scene would help solve the doctor shortage by having the city own and operate walk-in clinics. Sad to say, mister, the city is having enough trouble filling potholes and making payroll. Plunging the city into the health care business may not be a good idea. Queen’s Health Sciences is currently working on such a plan and city council should stick to its own knitting.
Voter turnout could be especially low in our municipal election this time around.
Six current councillors are not seeking re-election so this opens the field to newcomers who will benefit from not having a better- known incumbent to oppose. This could inject some energy in the campaign.
But at the top of the ticket there’s no real contest for mayor. Incumbent Bryan Paterson appears to be a shoo-in with most observers believing he has done a good job—especially during the pandemic--and deserves another term.
(Whether he deserves the kind of council we are about to elect is yet to be determined. The newcomers will bring with them new ideas and enthusiasm but face a steep learning curve that demands time and patience in the process.)
Voter turnout in the last two municipal elections was 39.5% in 2014 and 41.3% in 2018. But there was a healthy contest for mayor in both years and a controversial referendum issue on the ballot. Kingstonians voted overwhelmingly against a casino eight years ago and in the last election 62.93% favoured ranked ballots to elect their council. There is no referendum question on the ballot this year to help fire up the electorate.
In 2018 more than half of all voters in Kingston cast their ballots online.
As mayor, Bryan Paterson occupies a position of strength and influence but he has only one vote and has to rely on the majority of the incoming council members for support if he has any hope of accomplishing what he sets out to do for and on behalf of the City of Kingston.
Stronger powers are on their way in a pilot project for big city mayors and the policy could be extended to smaller municipalities like our own, according to Queen’s Park which is using the tool to try to expedite decision making and the supply of new housing.
Thanks to the democratic process, so greatly maligned and tested these days, it’s all in the hands of the voters---whether we want that responsibility or not.
Vote on Oct. 24—or before—and vote wisely.
They say we get the governments we deserve but I’m not so sure about that.
