Editorials

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Party ties at city hall don't work

By: Editorial

Posted: 12/17/2009 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

A newish grassroots organization known as the Winnipeg Citizens Coalition is working behind the scenes to increase the number of so-called progressive councillors at city hall. If so, it better get cracking, because time is running out for serious contenders.

The election is just 10 months away, which is not a lot of time for anyone who wants to knock off an incumbent. Taking on the mayor is an even bigger job.

Coun. Lillian Thomas says she did not intend to announce her candidacy for the mayor's job this week, but felt compelled to reveal her plans after she was asked a direct question by Free Press reporter Bartley Kives. Actually, Coun. Thomas is not early. She is late.

Running for the office of mayor is not for the weak of heart, and it is not a race that can be won by starting at the last minute. A candidate for Parliament or city council only has to convince a plurality of voters in a riding of 60,000 people, but a mayoral candidate in Winnipeg needs to reach about 700,000 people.

Incumbents can be defeated, but it takes a lot of work, organization and money.

The news of Ms. Thomas's candidacy seemed to stun the Citizens Coalition -- "I would think there would be a few more conversations before she came out so boldly," a spokesman said -- but they should be pleased that a like-minded candidate has already picked up the standard.

If the citizens coalition was thrown off balance by her announcement, it may be because the group has another, stronger candidate in mind as a challenger to Mayor Sam Katz. So far, however, the Elmwood councillor is the only person prepared to stick out her neck. There are rumours of other possible candidates, but the clock is ticking if they want to be taken seriously.

As a devoted and long-time member of the New Democratic Party, Coun. Thomas has always sought the party's endorsement, but she could face a nomination battle if another New Democrat decides to join the race.

The loser of such a race could still run, but the winner would have access to the party's database and list of supporters. The party, however, has to be careful about getting too involved, since it will have to work with the winner, who might not be an NDP sympathizer.

Responsible mayors and mayoral candidates and councillors, in fact, have always avoided turning civic debates into political controversies. A politically smart mayor does not accuse the premier of allowing Winnipeg to rot because the two are members of rival parties.

It's another reason why political parties don't work at city hall. An NDP mayor serving an NDP premier can easily be accused of conflict of interest or of kowtowing for some future opportunity or reward.

Moreover, civic issues don't lend themselves to party discipline. Road building, zoning and snow-clearing rarely have anything to do with being Liberal, Conservative or New Democrat.

Civic government requires men and women of sound judgment and good character. Political coalitions -- and there have been many at city hall over the years, on both the left and the right -- can help by encouraging people to seek office, but no one should be hog-tied by an affiliation to a political party.

Civic politicians should be independent and loyal to no one but their constituents and the people of Winnipeg.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition December 17, 2009 A14

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