Guelph city councillors choose new colleague from 26 candidates

There are 26 candidates who want to be Guelph’s newest city councillor. CTV’s Heather Senoran explains how picking process works.

City councillors in Guelph are choosing who will be their next colleague during a special council meeting.

City staff put out an open call for residents in May after former Councillor Dominique O’Rourke’s seat was vacated following her successful run for federal politics. Nominations were open from June 9 until July 7. In total, 26 people submitted applications.

On Wednesday, all candidates were given 5 minutes to make their case before councillors during a special meeting. After that, council will vote on who will fill the seat.

“The first individual to secure seven votes will be the selected candidate,” said Stephen O’Brien, Guelph’s general manager of clerks.

The meeting started at 4 p.m. with some very passionate candidates.

“It’s not about ideology or different things,” candidate Gregory Cawsey said during his 5 minute allotment. “I think what people are yearning for is good government, good people in those positions so that people have the confidence that they know that their tax dollars are being spent in a judicious manner.”

Another candidate listed reasons why she should be chosen.

“Because I live in the ward. Because community engagement has been my life’s work and finally because I intend to make this role my full-time job, giving it the full care and commitment that this council and the residents of Ward 6 deserve,” candidate Dakota Cherry said.

There are other ways the process to find a replacement could have played out. The city could have held a byelection or a runner-up from the previous municipal election could have been called to the position.

“I think it’s unfortunate because it looks like you’re applying to become a member of the club. And it’s not a club. It’s a political organization,” said Peter Woolstencroft, a retired political science professor with the University of Waterloo.

Woolstencroft said he’s hoping city councillors keep an open mind.

“They’re not likely to choose somebody who says, ‘I think this council’s doing a terrible job and I want to address some issues and bring about some change.’ I doubt very much a councillor wants to hear that, but maybe they should hear it,” he said.

Councillor Phil Allt admitted having councillors choose wasn’t his favourite option, but he understands why it is happening.

“We’re put in the awkward position of selecting a colleague rather than electing one,” Allt said. “And it’s because realistically the person has eight to 10 months of work experience before the next election. So ideally, I would in some ways, like to have a person who is not seeking re-election.”

He said there a lot of traits he’s looking for in the next city councillor.

“Being sensitive to planning issues, recognizing the needs of the community, including those such as for the redevelopment of downtown or facilities, being mindful of taxation, but not putting taxation as the first priority in a city that is quickly growing,” Allt said.

After two and a half hours, some candidates were still making their pitches.

“If I can sneak a pillow in, maybe I will,” Allt joked. “Hopefully, we will be done quickly. But democracy sometimes moves slowly.”

After the vote, the rest of the process will move quickly. The chosen person will be sworn in immediately and will be able to participate in the rest of the meeting.