Our local democracy needs significant improvements. We can do better. We must do better.
Only 1 out of 3 Monctonians vote. In 2016, 35.8% of Monctonians voted. In 2012, the voter turn-out rate was 33.0%.
I commit to find out why the majority do not vote, then implement measures that will increase our voter turn-out to at least 50% by 2029.
Here are some of the measures that, according to my research, should significantly improve our city's democracy and achieve that lofty goal:
1) Review the existing ward system to ensure it serves the interest of citizens.
Wards are more populated and bigger. I think 8 wards with one councillor each would be more effective than 4 wards with two councillors per ward.
2) Review ward boundaries after every census to ensure an equitable voter distribution.
The results of the 2021 census will be published in 2022. After their publication, Council should appoint an impartial committee of citizens to ensure an equitable voter distribution in the four wards. Every citizen must have the same electoral power regardless of his or her residence.
3) Hold regular public meetings in each ward to exchange with citizens on important Council activities and City issues.
Regular public meetings in each ward are a small price to pay to nurture our local democracy. The City owes it to its citizens.
4) Appoint a committee of citizens six months before the elections in order to encourage citizens to run for office and to vote on election day.
The committee could hold 'meet the candidates' events for ward, general and mayoral contests. It could also explore ways to reduce campaign costs.
5) Impose limits to candidate campaign expenditures for city elections as well as obligations to divulge contributions.
Candidates should not be able to 'buy' a win. They should divulge campaign spending as well as contributions and their sources. Such mesures exist for provincial and federal elections and should be applied to municipal elections. This requires provincial legislation, but municipal reform is coming.
My election campaign will cost approximately $2,500. I will fund 100%. I will accept no contributions.
6) Impose full transparency on Council.
Only confidential issues should be kept behind closed doors. Also, when Council ratifies in public a decision it adopted previously in private, it should provide in public as much background information as possible. And when Council rejects a motion in private, that motion should also be made public.
I commit to proposing a Democracy Bylaw to make City Hall more democratic and accountable.
Without a formal bylaw, it will be very difficult to protect our local democracy and ensure Council accountability.
Democracy comes at a price, but the cost to pay if we neglect democracy is too high.