The Election Picture

We are going into an election with 5 Mayoral candidates, and 14 Councillor hopefuls, plus 9 competing for 2 Trustee positions.

This is unprecedented interest, and the last minute flurry of submissions adds to the well-deserved election season moniker of 'silly season'.

The simple numbers tell us that, all being equal, each mayoral candidate has a 20% chance of winning, only a bit better for Islands Trust, but over a 40% chance of prevailing as a Councillor.

Add to that the voting strategies one can employ- eg voting for 1 or 2 of your favourite candidates, can increase power of the vote(s).

Choosing Councillors is complex, in that the voter is looking at what he/she views as the 'ideal' council, and casting votes to that end.

For Mayor, it's pretty simple- vote for the one person who in your opinion is best suited to the job. So how does one evaluate suitability?

To start, it is important to realize that the job of mayor has many facets, but none of them involve the imagery of 'taking charge' that people often associate with good, strong leaders. A place to start is to look at the Community Charter of BC with regard to responsibilities of Councillors and the Mayor:

Responsibilities of council members

115  Every council member has the following responsibilities:

(a) to consider the well-being and interests of the municipality and its community;

(b) to contribute to the development and evaluation of the policies and programs of the municipality respecting its services and other activities;

(c) to participate in council meetings, committee meetings and meetings of other bodies to which the member is appointed;

(d) to carry out other duties assigned by the council;

(e) to carry out other duties assigned under this or any other Act.

Responsibilities of mayor

116  (1) The mayor is the head and chief executive officer of the municipality.

(2) In addition to the mayor's responsibilities as a member of council, the mayor has the following responsibilities:

(a) to provide leadership to the council, including by recommending bylaws, resolutions and other measures that, in the mayor's opinion, may assist the peace, order and good government of the municipality;

(b) to communicate information to the council;

(c) to preside at council meetings when in attendance;

(d) to provide, on behalf of the council, general direction to municipal officers respecting implementation of municipal policies, programs and other directions of the council;

(e) to establish standing committees in accordance with section 141;

(f) to suspend municipal officers and employees in accordance with section 151;

(g) to reflect the will of council and to carry out other duties on behalf of the council;

(h) to carry out other duties assigned under this or any other Act.

Additional authorities of the mayor or presiding member are laid out in Sections #131-134

Along with the powers- eg to suspend municipal officers and employees, there is the requirement to reflect the will of Council. So the mayor is fettered, and must act on behalf of Council at all times.