Looking For Another Job

The political world is a fascinating place to observe. Alliances and strategic relationships formed as well as politicians positioning and posturing. As the political gears in Alberta start grinding and moving everyone towards the next election, names are being put forward as nominees and candidates for the various parties.

For those who aren’t aware of how the process works, it goes something like this:

1. Someone decides they want to run for a provincial party, so they put their name forward as a nominee in their constituency (there are currently 87 in Alberta, but that may change in October when the boundaries are modified).
2. Members who live in that constituency and hold a membership in that party get to vote on which nominee they want to represent their constituency and that party.
3. Whoever wins the nomination becomes the candidate for that Provincial party, in that constituency.
4. When the provincial election is called (also referred to as “dropping the writ”), the candidate begins their campaign.
5. If they win the election in their constituency, they become an MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly).

It is at the first stage that I start to have questions. You see, typically, there are ‘stepping stones’ in politics.  Although it doesn’t have to be this way, people often begin their political careers at the local level – either municipal government or school board trustee. From there, some decide to run for Mayor or go on to Provincial or Federal politics.

So what happens when a politician holds one position while “trying out” for another? If you are a municipal councillor and you decide to run for Mayor, are you making the best decisions for your individual ward while having your eye on another position? If you are a municipal councillor running for provincial office, is it right that you continue to hold your position while it obviously doesn’t have your undivided attention?

This has come up a lot recently. For example, Glenn Taylor, the Mayor of Hinton has taken some flack for not resigning when he was elected the Alberta Party Leader. Eyebrows were raised when Strathcona Mayor Linda Osinchuk declared her intention to run as Mayor several months (possibly a year) prior to the 2010 municipal election, while she was a Councillor.

I have a friend who is a municipal councillor and is also a candidate for the Alberta Party.  Should she be expected to resign her Councillor position, even though the Alberta Party certainly can’t afford to pay her as a candidate?

One Strathcona County councillor, Jason Gariepy, has put his name forward as a nominee for the Wild Rose Alliance in the Sherwood Park-Strathcona County constituency. As a resident in Ward 8 – Mr. Gariepy’s ward – should I wonder if the ward will have adequate representation? Should I wonder how much of Mr. Gariepy’s time and attention will be taken away from his taxpayer-paid job?

To complicate matters even more, there is an open rumour of at least one other Councillor running for Provincial politics. Image if an election is called for the fall of 2012. The next municipal election is in 2013. What happens if other Councillors decide to run for the position of Mayor?

We have the potential of having a period of months where more than one third of Council is NOT giving their undivided attention to a job that they have not only been elected to do, but a job they will be collecting a pay cheque for.

On the flip side, should we really expect politicians to give up paying jobs and support themselves on their own dime until they are elected?  Do we want only the rich and independently wealthy able to afford to run for political positions?