The defence of democracy won out over wise use of taxpayers’ resources at Barrie City Hall Monday night.
In other words, there’ll be a fall byelection for the Ward 6 seat vacated by long-time councillor Michael Prowse. Prowse will take the helm at the city as its new CAO.
With the next election in October 2018 – and would-be candidates registering to run as soon as January – city clerk Dawn McAlpine recommended appointing someone to fill the vacancy, as it would save both time and money.
But councillors narrowly overturned her recommendation.
“Around the world, we have a lot of people talking about politics,” said Ward 10 Mike McCann, referencing the USA and the United Kingdom.
“It doesn’t feel right (to appoint). An election is best so (residents) can pick. The transparency of us choosing a candidate is a little foggier than an election.”
Ward 5 Coun. Peter Silveira jumped in to defend democracy to urge them to support McCann’s motion to hold a byelection.
“We have major, major rights – a fair public trial, a right to worship freely and most importantly, the power to vote,” said Silveira. “We had a byelection last year when Councillor (Andrew) Prince won (in Ward 7, a seat vacated by now Barrie-Innisfil MP John Brassard).
“When you canvass your neighbourhood and the ward, you have a feeling of the problems there. Who gives us the right to appoint somebody to represent someone else? This is wrong. Democracy costs money.”
A byelection is projected to cost about $50,000 and other councillors said that’s a very small part of the city’s $300-million annual budget.
Still, there’s the issue of timing – and how long the successful candidate would serve.
McAlpine said the current council becomes lame duck next July. Further, nomination day – the day by which hopefuls must register for the 2018 election – is May 1.
If the city were to appoint, it would have to do so within 60 days, the clerk explained, which translates to by Aug. 17.
By contrast, a byelection would be held in the fall, with the vote taking place Oct. 2.
“I realize it’s worth investing in democracy, but I’m looking for a return on investment,” said Ward 8 Coun. Arif Khan.
“The closer you are to the end of a term, the voter turnout tends to decrease. Typically, voter turnout is lower (in a byelection) than an election.”
Prince agreed.
“By the time we have a byelection and welcome them to take their seat, we’ll be into the year before the next election and then months later, we’ll be lame duck.”
The new councillor would take the oath of office Oct. 23.
Councillors could still change their mind on whether to hold the byelection next week.
“Hopefully it will be 1,500 people coming out to vote. (That’s) a lot more than nine people (choosing),” said Ward 3’s Doug Shipley.
