Friday at 2pm

Many have filed and started their campaigns. You can too.

We note with a bit of disbelief the number of spots where acclamations are almost in hand. In this instance, without a challenger, the candidate will automatically be considered elected by acclamation. 

For some voters that comes across as unfair or illegitimate, but that is how the system works. While indifference may speak to the lack of a contest, sometimes a candidate has earned a pass through hard work this past term.

We heartily recommend those thinking of running to not wait until the very last minute. There are numerous forms to organize and have signed. It would be very stressful landing in the township office at 1:50pm and realizing paperwork wasn’t in order. It does take time for the clerk to review and certify a candidate for office. 

Plans are already underway for our candidate guide, which we publish each election. Questions will be sent to confirmed candidates and the information will be presented by township and town as a way for voters to get to know candidates. This is a public service we perform without charge. 

Even though there is a sizeable expense associated with publishing this guide, we see it as our duty and obligation. The costs of a campaign can be quite onerous, but the guide helps level that playing field for all candidates. Everyone who takes the opportunity is included.

This Friday is the nomination deadline. Don’t miss out.

The squeeze is on

The headlines in recent days do little to instill confidence for Canadians.

Between looming tariffs and an ever-illusive trade deal, it remains tough to execute transformative plans for Canada’s national economy. So tough, that we could well enter an age like the ‘90s, when transfer payments from the federal government to provinces were reduced.

Shifting even portions of the costs for health care and social services to make up for increases in federal defense spending as an example would be disastrous. 

Following that plan may well result in a repeat of the Harris days in the ‘90s when virtually all grants to municipalities were non-existent. It was a trying time and left local municipalities with no choice but to raise taxes to offset the cost increase locally. This was the start of the ever-increasing infrastructure deficit local politicians decry today.

Unimagined shifts in ideology have placed those municipalities in a difficult spot already. The push to grow and develop housing stock at all costs has created an overly developer-friendly environment. Ask Erin council how they felt having development charges reduced and rebates dictated recently. Province-wide we are reading of similar cases of best laid plans turning sour – all because developers don’t want to pay any more than they absolutely must. One could say it is only natural to avoid taxes and fees, but most municipalities have banked on growth to fund capital projects.

The timing could not be worse.

A recent Fraser Institute report suggest Canadians are paying more in taxes than for food, shelter and clothing combined. Some 42 per cent of income is paid in tax while necessities comprise 36% of spending. Between car payments, insurance and other items there is very little left for discretionary wants. 

Granted, said institutes plus all sorts of taxpayer federations and business lobby groups rail against taxes.

The squeeze is on – let’s see what comes of it.