Premier downplays prospect of Edmonton advisory council of defeated candidates
By alexandreFinance
Premier downplays prospect of Edmonton advisory council of defeated candidates
Edmonton mayor, Don Iveson, has downplayed the prospect of an advisory council to be made up of defeated candidates from this year’s municipal election. The proposition was raised at the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce mayoral forum last month by candidate Mike Nickel.
What is the proposed advisory council?
The proposed advisory council would have been made up of defeated candidates from the election, with the aim of providing advice and input on key city issues to the mayor and council. The idea was pitched as a way to harness the knowledge and expertise of those who had run for office, but were not elected, in order to inform decisions made by those in power.
However, the proposal has been met with some skepticism, both from the mayor and from other candidates. Some have questioned whether the council would be truly representative of the wider community, or whether it would simply be dominated by those who had run unsuccessful campaigns.
Why has the proposal been criticized?
One of the main concerns about the proposed council is that it could create a two-tiered system of representation in the city. Some worry that the opinions and voices of unsuccessful candidates would be given undue weight over those of regular citizens, potentially leading to decisions that do not reflect the needs and desires of the wider populace.
Others have expressed concern that the council could become overly politicized, with defeated candidates using it as a platform to push their own agendas and campaigns. There are also worries that the council would be too large and unwieldy to be effective, with too many voices and opinions making it difficult to come to any sort of consensus.
What has the mayor said about the proposal?
Mayor Don Iveson has been cautious in his response to the proposal, suggesting that it may not be the most effective way to involve unsuccessful candidates in city decision-making. While he acknowledged the value of diverse perspectives and input, he also noted that election campaigns are a “rough-and-tumble” process, and that not all candidates may be willing or able to contribute constructively to an advisory council.
Overall, the mayor seems to be taking a wait-and-see approach to the proposal, noting that there are many other ways to engage with the community and gather feedback that may be more effective than creating a formal council.
What could be done instead?
There is no shortage of ways for the city to involve citizens in decision-making and gather feedback on key issues. From town hall meetings to online surveys, there are many ways for people to voice their opinions and have their voices heard.
One possible alternative to the proposed council could be to create a more informal network of defeated candidates and community leaders, who could be consulted on an ad-hoc basis when specific issues arise. This could allow for a more flexible and responsive approach to gathering input, without creating a formal structure that may not be well-suited to everyone’s needs.
While the idea of creating an advisory council made up of defeated candidates may have some merit, it is clear that there are also significant concerns and challenges associated with such a proposal. Ultimately, it will be up to the city and its leaders to decide what approach is best suited to engaging with the community and gathering input on key issues.
Whether through the creation of a formal council, the establishment of an informal network, or other means, it is clear that there is a need for greater engagement and involvement from citizens in shaping the future of our city. By working together and exploring new ideas and approaches, we can help to ensure that Edmonton remains a vibrant and thriving community for years to come.
