Municipal politicians at odds over length of term

Clare Ogilvie, The Province September 29, 2010 2:04 PM

WHISTLER – Passions flared here yesterday as close to 1,000 municipal politicians debated whether they should serve three- or four-year terms in office.  The government is all set to introduce a four-year term if delegates to this year’s Union of B.C. Municipalities’ convention in Whistler pass a resolution to do so.  But when it came to the vote this morning, the result was so close a standing count had to be held. That result, which found 268 against a four-year term and 244 for it, was challenged. Now a ballot will be held Thursday morning.

Whistler councillor Ralph Forsyth, 41, wants to see the term stay at three years.  “It shortens the horizon,” he said, adding that if four-year terms were in place when he initially decided to run, he might have decided politics was not for him “… For young people whose horizons are shorter than ours, the prospect of a four-year term is just too daunting to their entry into the political landscape.” The idea has been debated before at UBCM.This year it was put forward by New Westminster’s Lori Williams. “If we believe that we are not a level of government but an order of government, then we deserve the same term of office as our provincial counterparts,’ she said.  “ I believe it gives more stability. I believe most people are not one-term candidates but run again, and if you ask your electorate if they want more elections I will guarantee you they will certainly say no.”  Williams said cost is also a big factor and that longer terms would cut not just the cost of elections for candidates but also for municipalities. Other municipal leaders also voiced concern that moving to four years may also result in provincial and municipal election melting together, and that might mean local issues may get lost in the mix. Williams is optimistic the resolution will pass Thursday as lobbying takes place tonight.