Online resources, information sessions encourage people to enter May race
On May 11, the province will head to the polls and elect municipal leaders across New Brunswick. There are 599 council and mayoral seats to fill.
On Thursday, Feb. 26, the Union of Municipalities of New Brunswick (UMNB), in conjunction with the Association of francophone des municipalités du N.-B. and the Association of Municipal Administrators of New Brunswick launched an awareness campaign urging individuals to throw their hats in the ring and run for municipal office.
The program, funded by the provincial Department of Environment and Local Government, will include information sessions for people interested in running, as well as a variety of local activities to explain the role of municipal elected officials.
At the campaign launch in Moncton, UMNB President Brittany Merrifield, who is also the Mayor of Grand Bay-Westfield, thanked colleagues who have decided not to seek re-election.
“They guided our municipalities through the local governance reform, which was no small task. Those who succeed them will step into their roles at a time when we have a clearer understanding of our new responsibilities and within a collaborative context with the provincial government to rebalance municipal taxation,” she said.
Merrifield also admitted municipal politics has its challenges, but knows many residents are ready to meet them.
“To all those who have a vision for their municipality and who want to help make our communities even more dynamic and resilient — you have a place at your municipal council table,” she said.
The goals of the awareness campaign are to encourage New Brunswickers to run as candidates in the upcoming election and to establish a collaborative approach to the discourse of potential candidates.
The UMNB will host webinars for people interested in running on March 24 in French and on March 26 in English.
In Lakeland Ridges, there are information sessions scheduled for the Canterbury Community Centre (Ward 4) on Wednesday, March 11, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., the Community Hall in Fosterville (Ward 1) on Thursday, March 12, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., at the Debec Park Community Centre (Ward 2) on Wednesday, March 18, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., and at the Meductic Community Centre (Ward 3) on Thursday, March 19, from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
On the UMNB website, there are resources for people thinking of entering municipal politics, including ‘Running for Council: Practical Guide for Candidates.’ More information about these sessions can be found on their website at umnb.ca.
Important dates
Monday, March 23: Notice of Election published, returning offices open.
Friday, April 10, 2 p.m.: Nominations close.
Monday, April 27: Voter information cards mailed out.
Saturday, May 2 and Monday, May 4, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.: Advance polls.
Monday, May 11: ELECTION DAY
Local declarations
All but one councillor is reoffering in Woodstock. Julie Calhoun-Goodridge has decided not to run again. In Hartland, no one has officially declared yet. In Lakeland Ridges, Deputy Mayor and Ward 1 councillor Ross Stairs will not reoffer. In Nackawic, no one has officially thrown their hat in the ring yet. In Southern Victoria, Tammy McPhail has announced she’s running for mayor and Todd McGuire for councillor. We reached out to the District of Carleton North administration and did not receive a response before our printer deadline, but were able to confirm that Mayor Andrew Harvey would be reoffering.
