REGINA: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) today released results of a six question municipal candidate survey conducted in advance of the October 28 civic election in Regina. Unfortunately, virtually all incumbents hid behind an oath of office to avoid answering the CTF’s questions.
Pat Fiacco, running for re-election as mayor, responded: “As I'm sure you are aware the Mayor and Councillors take an oath that they are open to persuasion right up until they vote on a decision. Please consider this my answer to all of your questions.”
Fred Clipsham, incumbent candidate for Ward 3, responded similarly: “Put me down as undecided to all.
As you may know, Councillors take an oath that they will remain open to peruasion (sic) up until the time they vote on any issue.”
“It is disappointing that candidates for office would hide behind an oath to avoid taking a position on important issues,” said CTF Saskatchewan Director Lee Harding. “In all our years of doing this type of survey, never have we had incumbents hide behind some oath as a reason for not responding.”
The CTF has conducted similar surveys in Calgary and Edmonton in 2007 and in Saskatoon for the 2009 municipal election. Four of the 11 incumbents in Saskatoon responded to the CTF survey.
“In all other cities, some incumbents responded, some did not. But never have we had a coordinated effort to claim a legal inability to take positions on public policy matters,” continued Harding. “Is it really too much to expect candidates seeking public office to share their opinions on important issues like taxes, city services and major infrastructure projects?”
Thankfully, some non-incumbents were willing to take positions on important civic issues. Three Regina candidates would put a maximum dollar figure on how many city tax dollars they would put into an expanded Mosaic Stadium or its replacement. Mayoral candidate Jim Elliott would dedicate as much as $10 million. John Conway and Danny Berehula, running in wards 3 and 7 respectively, would not dedicate any city funds to the project.
For a full chart of answers from Regina candidates visit /media/2009_Regina_Municipal_survey.pdf. The oath taken by elected councilors and mayors can be read on page 19 of the Cities Act at http://www.qp.gov.sk.ca/documents/english/Regulations/Regulations/c11-1r1.pdf.
Is Canada Off Track?
Canada has problems. You see them at gas station. You see them at the grocery store. You see them on your taxes.
Is anyone listening to you to find out where you think Canada’s off track and what you think we could do to make things better?
You can tell us what you think by filling out the survey