Province passed Bill 181, the Municipal Elections Modernization Act earlier this year. There are many changes; the Staff report on the 11/18 Council Agenda is a very thorough review. As I review further below there are a couple very positive changes.  But, I am disappointed that it did not offer rebates via income tax credit of donations to municipal candidates whereas such is done for both provincial and federal campaigns. As the Staff report indicates municipalities already have the opportunity to provide for some degree of compensation to those who donate to a municipal campaign and that King, as is the case with many other municipalities, have shied away from such because of the possibly poor optics (tax payers subsidizing election campaigns) and the incremental work of administering.  It seems to me that the health of our election processes requires that there be quality candidates seeking to have a position the municipal Councils.  Someone who donates is enabling that process which benefits the Township as whole.  Why not provide a rebate?  I know that it will be more comfortable for me to say “I want to run to be your Councillor; I would appreciate a $100 donation and you will get $X back.”  Let me know what you think about this?

There are two very positive changes:  the banning of donations from corporations and unions to candidates in a municipal election; and the authorization to municipalities to use a ranked ballot system as opposed to first-past-the-post system.  As an active participant in Campaign Fairness  I am pleased that the ban has been executed.  I do believe that ranked ballot system has a lot of merit; but, I appreciate the magnitude of the preparation which will be required to implement such and I am not in favour of being a leader on this one.  I really hope that a couple municipalities do decide to go for ranked ballot as we can learn from that.