Editorials

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Party ties at city hall don't work

By: Editorial

17/12/2009 1:00 AM | Comments: 6

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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6 Comments

Posted by: Bob

December 19, 2009 at 3:16 PM

Citizens Coalition, Where is your updated website! It was to be up Dec 1.

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Posted by: Vance Tipton

December 18, 2009 at 11:19 AM

I say good riddance to any businesses that insist on having 0 taxes.

These are the same businesses that never give raises, marginalize staff and basically operate to make maximum profits for #1.

To me, that isn't even a business, it's just a money-crank. Get lost and don't let the door hit your *ahooga* on the way out.

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Posted by: Jay

December 18, 2009 at 10:01 AM

@Rural Roots

Flee the country? No just the city, maybe even the province. Why would a business stay when taxes would be way cheaper outside of town or the province for that matter. Why do you think Calgary attracted all those corporate head offices in the late 80's and early 90's? How many high paying jobs did we lose to Calgary during this time .... lots. Want to see it happen again? A city government provides the infrastructure and emergency services. The province and ferderal governments should take care of social issues not civic governments.

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Posted by: Joe

December 17, 2009 at 9:51 PM

This group seems to disorganized.

I can't imagine it mounting much of anything.

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Posted by: Rural Roots

December 17, 2009 at 6:13 PM

Right, just like businesses "flee" countries like Sweden? Oh, wait, the OECD listed them as one of the top countries to do business in because education, skill, and productivity amoung the labour market is highest when you have a strong social system, free educational systems at all levels, and no poverty make it the best environment to do business in - even if corporate taxes are required to pay for that better world and business environment.

And if party to party relationships wouldn't work between the province and the city, why wouldn't that hold true between the federal and provincial governments as well? I like our current municipal system, but I don't understand the difference.