There is important Staff report on 10/16 Council agenda about funding options for those interested in running in the 2018 election. A source of funding for those interested to run for election in Municipal Councils in Ontario was eliminated in 2016: donations from corporations and unions are no longer acceptable. This was done to reduce outside influence that is often centered on private interest and not on public interest; it is not perfect by any means but to my mind it is a valuable change. Campaigns may only be financed by donations from individuals, fundraising events and self-financed candidates.

Funding for municipal candidates is different than that for provincial or federal; for both, of latter rebates are given via income tax credits. The Province did not implement same for municipal elections when they introduced the ban on corporate and union donations in 2016.

I believe the municipality needs to step in and address this gap. As indicated in the report the only source of funding for this Rebate Program is municipal taxes.

A rebate reduces an individual’s donation. (They donate $100 and receive back $50, for example).   Very importantly it is an acknowledgment to a donor that the tax payors in the municipality appreciate that an individual has made a personal donation.

Health and quality of our municipal council is affected by those who seek to be elected. A municipality, its citizens will benefit with broad engagement by the public as to who runs in the election. I don’t believe it is in the municipality’s best interest to be one where it is perceived that candidates need to be self-funded or where a couple big donors fund a candidate or where there is significant advantage to incumbents.

• Speaking from personal experience and from conversation with other candidates, the need for fund raising is the most discouraging aspect when one thinks about running.

• There is advantage for those who are incumbents as they can re-use signs and hence require less funds.

Speaking from personal experience….it would be very nice to go up to a citizen and say…..you have told me that you think I have some clever ideas about King and that you would like to see me as a Councilor or the Mayor. To run I have expenses. I think you will have a better outcome from this election if there are many people who participate actively in the campaign by making a donation. It would be great if you gave me a donation of $100; when you participate in this manner you will receive a rebate of $50.  

I am generally in favour of Scenario 2 outlined in the Staff report. 1) As the objective is engagement of the citizens in King the rebates should only be available to those with King address.   2) I think 75 % rebate is too much:   50% is appropriate.

Currently our annual budget includes an annual contribution of $30,000 to the Election Reserve collected from Municipal taxes. The annual additional contribution to cover A Municipal Contribution Rebate Program is unknown until after campaign; costs would be spread over 4-year cycle.

I have solicited perspective from several citizens across Township. Many have indicated positive interest in the program and have expressed ideas how to enhance it to more closely match what occurs at provincial level. I believe simplicity is critical and hence am not championing alternatives.

Understandably there is “concern” about using tax payors money to fund this. To my mind this is not much different than the effort which is made to run a good election; just as the municipality wants to offer choice in where/how/when to vote, the municipality wants to have best slate of candidates. I believe the cost is manageable as it will be spread across the 4-year election cycle. Here is report.