(Unsplash photo)
What happened during Ontario’s 2022 municipal elections, and how can it be fixed?
The Association of Municipalities of Ontario is making a sizable investment in an attempt to attract more potential candidates across the province, encourage greater participation in local democracy, and get more people interested in the civic process ahead of the fall election following a staggering low turnout four years ago, according to AMO director Christa Lowry.
Lowry says there isn’t one specific problem that has turned candidates and voters alike away from being part of the process, but an increasingly difficult workload and what can become a toxic relationship with fellow councillors or the public have been a turnoff at times when people are also less likely to engage each other on important community matters.
While she appreciates the “save the world” style enthusiasm that a lot of newer candidates show, Lowry says not having a full understanding of what a municipal leader can directly influence with their leverage can cause frustration for both them and voters.
She says that reaching out to experienced leaders to better understand the process of getting on the ballot, campaigning for obtainable goals, and learning effective ways to govern can help you unlock the “fun part” of deciding to run: sharing your dreams for how to improve your community with fellow constituents.
To help develop a more diverse group of candidates ahead of the fall election, AMO is hosting a series of free online workshops for first-time aspiring candidates, which will get underway on March 10th, as well as a stream for leaders seeking re-election on March 26th.
(written by Kasey Egan)