Plans are under way for Q &A sessions with municipal candidates in Hastings and Campbellford.
Not finding anyone else planning a session, I’ve joined with former mayoral candidate Susan Fedorka, who is not running this time, to organize a meeting at the Campbellford library branch on Saturday, Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Our hope is to have the candidates from Wards 1, 2, and 3 and the mayoral candidates on hand. Our plan is to have separate 45-minute sessions with each of those groups to allow you to ask your questions and meet the candidates. More details to follow.
A debate committee in Hastings is planning a session for candidates in Ward 5 and the mayoral candidates on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m..
No word on any meeting in Warkworth. Will let you know if I hear of anything.
Most eligible voters don’t vote in the municipal elections. In 2022, the turnout across the province was 32.9 per cent, according to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. Here in Trent Hills, 32.2 per cent of eligible voters took part, down from 37 per cent in 2018.
As a reminder, we vote online or via telephone. Since you’re reading this, you probably have the technology you need. But if you, or someone you know, needs help, the Trent Hills Library will be offering assistance on election day, Oct. 26, with advice and access to the internet.
In the past couple of weeks, I’ve had a few readers ask whether the candidates for municipal office are vetted in any way. The short answer is no.
Under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Canadians are guaranteed the right to vote or run for office. Only people currently in prison or convicted of bribery are banned.
This can be confusing, since we are so awash in U.S. culture and news and there are many voting restrictions down south on anyone convicted of a crime. That’s not the case here.
The municipal clerk checks to ensure candidates qualify by living or owning property in the area.
One wrinkle that does trip up some candidates is the fact the municipal employees need to start a leave-of-absence before they submit their nomination. They can run, but have to follow the steps involved, otherwise they will be rejected. Candidates will also be rejected if they haven’t completed the paperwork required following a previous election. That trips up some potential candidates too, but not here this time.
Last chance for our survey
If you haven’t responded to our What Matters Most survey yet, you still have a chance. We’re cutting off responses at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 13. Once Herman van den Berg has analyzed the data, I will report on what you’ve told us and seek some feedback from the candidates.
We have received a few duplicate survey submissions. Please don’t respond more than once. Just click this link to go to the survey
