It’s going to be a fine line for incumbents between ongoing work as a councillor and their re-election campaigns.
On April 30, Centre Wellington councillors adopted a Use of Corporate Resources Policy.
A report from deputy clerk Lisa Miller noted the Municipal Elections Act requires municipalities, prior to May 1, to establish rules and procedures for the use of municipal resources during the campaign period.
The Act indicates a municipality cannot make a contribution to candidates or registered third parties.
At the same time, the policy recognizes members of council continue to hold office until the end of the term and the policy should not preclude them from performing their job or representing the interests of their constituents.
Councillor Stephen Kitras asked if the policy applies to the “Mayor’s Monthly Minute” in the Wellington Advertiser and broadcasts on the GrandFM.
Miller said the policy is not meant to stop council from performing current job duties, part of which includes communication.
She said both venues have conveyed council decisions and information to the public for most of the council term.
“If it was something new … that would be different,” she said.
Kitras asked if another town hall meeting is in the works. Traditionally, council has held four per year in different parts of the township.
CAO Andy Goldie stated the fall town hall meeting is typically about the budget. However, during election years, budgets are not passed until January or February.
Goldie did not expect a budget meeting until the new year.
Councillor Fred Morris was concerned anyone seeking successive terms (on council), including the mayor, could place themselves at unfair advantage in an election year.
Miller said as long as efforts communicate township business and not campaign issue, it is not a problem – and council members must recognize the difference.
Miller said the same applies to the use of social media accounts.
“While one account might be used to relay township information – a different account would be needed for campaigns,” she said.
Councillor Steven VanLeeuwen said the important thing is that councillors are not using township resources to support their campaigns.
“We also have to keep in mind that residents still need to be made aware and kept in the loop of what the township is doing,” he said, adding it would be shortsighted to end those communications “and leave residents in the dark.”
Morris agreed that residents should be informed, “But in an elections year, that is why we have a communications officer,” he said.
“I do think it is unfair in an election year to have one member of council have access to the press and radio – when the rest of council has to pay their own way.”
Mayor Linton pointed out a township budget item since 2015 that provided members of council not only the opportunity to attend conferences and training, but also to communicate with residents.
“Since 2015 councillors have had the opportunity to use township funds for similar communications to residents,” he said. “Some chose to do it, some chose not to do it.”
Linton agreed care must be taken in communicating with the public and clearly define actions as a councillor and candidate.
Kitras said during an election there is no reason why staff could not relay information to the public.
VanLeeuwen said his difficulty is that the township has a mayor who was elected to communicate with the public.
“No one wants to put the public in the dark,” Morris said. “This is about creating a level playing field for all potential candidates.”
Councillor Don Fisher said, “There is an onus on all of us, especially the mayor, not to cross the line between their job as a councillor and campaigning.”
Fisher said one is never going to eliminate the fact the mayor, by virtue of his position, has a public profile that other people do not have.
“This is about not bringing public resources to make the playing field even more unlevel,” he said.
For new councillor Dean Workman, the policy left a few questions. He asked if introducing himself to people as the new councillor constituted campaigning.
Clerk Kerri O’Kane said, “You need to be able to serve the community – you just cannot be passing out municipal business cards saying ‘vote for me.’”
CAO Andy Goldie said at the end of the day the business of council needs to continue. He noted the previous mayor had the same relationship with the radio station.
Kitras asked whether the township was involved in trading services for air time.
Goldie clarified the radio station has an antenna on top of the township water tower and the township does get radio time as a part of the agreement. However, the use of that airtime does not include the mayor’s Tuesday morning updates.
Linton said he intends for his communications to stick to the actions of council and its strategic plan initiatives.
“I’m not planning on doing anything differently,” he said.
Council later adopted the corporate resources policy.
