The election to the south of us might be decided, but that doesn’t mean election season is over.
In less than 11 months–Oct. 16, 2017 to be exact–Albertans will go to the polls in local elections across the province.
While some groan at the thought of another election cycle, it’s important to start thinking about the next municipal election for several reasons.
First and foremost, if the community wants to elect the best possible candidates for the job people need time to consider the implications of jumping into the political arena.
While there are many things to consider, above all running for council is a huge time commitment.
Those that are elected will be expected to serve a four-year term and dedicate a significant amount of their time to the community–just ask the current members of council.
Not only are councillors expected to attend regular council meetings, but they are also expected to attend board meetings, conferences, seminars and events. On top of this, they need to spend a significant amount of time answering emails and reading reports, while also talking with the public, local businesses and municipal staff.
Ultimately, time spent doing council work is time spent away from family and friends.
Financially, it’s also a huge commitment. No one runs for council to make money.
On average councillors make between $10,000 and $15,000 a year, plus benefits. The mayor, who has more responsibility, makes closer to $35,000, plus benefits.
Without a steady paycheque, most councillors rely on a supplemental income from another job or business.
Those who run for council should also expect to have their opinions publically challenged and have to make tough decisions that aren’t always popular.
Suffice to say, there are many things to consider before running for council, which is why if the community wants the best candidates to run for office we need to people to begin to start thinking about it now.
Take Banff for instance.
According to the Rocky Mountain Outlook, four incumbent councillors have already announced their intentions to seek re-election, spurring others to begin thinking about their own future and the whether they want to run for council or not.
The same is true in Edmonton, where Mayor Don Iveson and 25 other Edmontonians have already expressed their intent to run in 2017 and in Calgary, 13 out of 15 incumbent councillors are already preparing for the campaign.
With so much at stake over the next four years, it’s time residents in Jasper begin to seriously think about the 2017 municipal election and the people it wants to lead our community.
