Seeking office

It was gratifying to see every town, township and the county itself offer up a night for people thinking of running for council.

Along with the merits and regulations surrounding public service, organizers wisely shared the very real impact such a job has on family life. It can be onerous from a time perspective, highly rewarding when good community deeds are accomplished and spectacularly unfair when contentious issues become personal.

This proactive effort to attract candidates and offer up some expectations of what the job entails, coincided with news out of Guelph that its mayor and some councillors weren’t running again. 

Days later the annual integrity commissioner report was released noting harassment as a “growing concern” for city council and its boards. That trend was identified by informal queries on the part of councillors and board members. 

In actuality, the Integrity Commissioner contractor, Aird Bellis LLP, states: “Last year our office received one formal complaint pursuant to the code (down from four in 2024).”

Our distaste for codes of conduct and integrity commissioners is well known. We see it as an unnecessary expense that has essentially homogenized discussion around the council table. Voices for accountability have been stifled, allowing the system to plod along without question or repercussion. 

Politicians seem more timid or shy in their questions. It is a precarious time in that sense. A good CAO or a head of council worth their salt kept meeting interactions respectful, encouraged patience and found ways to ensure the flow of pertinent information.

Apart from these impediments, which many local politicians have been able to successfully navigate, a satisfying opportunity lies ahead for those inclined. Candidates on the fence may have an affinity for business or finance, practical work experience to better understand projects or an outlook on culture and sports – everyone has something to contribute.

Far too often local government takes a back seat to provincial and federal politics. In the grand scheme, however, this is the one level of government that makes the most difference in people’s day-to-day lives.

Repatriated dollars

In recent weeks, the provincial government has placed numerous ads in print publications across the province, as well as digital advertising with online news providers.

We have been recipient of those bookings through Adreach, which is the independent sales arm of the Ontario Community Newspaper Association. Candidly, it is very welcome revenue at a particularly precarious time.

Many years ago, governments regularly placed ads in daily and community newspapers alike. And  Canadian broadcasters regularly aired government ads. Dating back to the Liberals, much of this advertising was diverted to online sources – chiefly Facebook and Google, both American-based companies.

As readers may be aware, much of our spare time here is spent working with Newsmedia Canada as its current chair to encourage policy that will aid an industry in tatters. There are some bright spots on the horizon and much of that has to do with recognition – finally – that Canadian news sources matter.

Last year the Ford government, in keeping with its Buy Ontario attitude, instructed its marketing agents to dedicate 25% of their current marketing budget to Ontario-based publications.

A similar request has been made of the federal government under its Buy Canadian policy. Carney’s government has not provided an answer on that point, but the industry remains hopeful that it will adopt a similar stance.

Despite the federal government’s stated “Buy Canadian” policy, changing its advertising agency of record and spending tens of millions of dollars each year, news publishers are not seeing meaningful federal government advertising dollars. 

Yet when a bank, retailer or car company runs a national, regional or local campaign, news publishers do okay because we are a great way to reach and engage Canadians. So, why are we only seeing micro-pennies on the dollar when it comes to federal government ad campaigns?  

It’s simple: the agency of record is doing what is easiest and most profitable for them, and that’s programmatic and social media advertising through American big tech firms.