James Brose has been monitoring the webpage for the upcoming fall election in his small eastern Ontario township and is feeling concerned. Serving as the mayor of North Algona Wilberforce for the past eight years, Brose, a retired 69-year-old farmer, has decided to step down due in part to a health scare last year. As the deadline for candidates to file nomination papers approaches, no one in Brose’s township has yet put forward their candidacy to succeed him as mayor.
Brose expressed his worries, acknowledging that the role of mayor may not be appealing to many due to its significant workload and challenges in managing social media interactions. His personal circumstances, including having a son in British Columbia and the demanding nature of the job, influenced his decision to not seek another term. Despite feeling healthy and back to 100%, Brose was uncertain about committing another four years to the mayoral position.
The lack of candidates in North Algona Wilberforce mirrors a trend seen in other municipalities in eastern Ontario, such as Carleton Place, Petawawa, and Beckwith, where only the incumbents have filed their nomination papers for mayoral or reeve positions. This situation raises concerns about the potential for acclaimed positions in the upcoming election, similar to the pattern observed in past Ontario municipal elections.
The Association of Municipalities of Ontario reported that 32 municipal councils were acclaimed in 2022, emphasizing the importance of competitive elections for a healthy democracy. Despite the slow start in candidate filings, some incumbents like Coun. Dan Lynch in Arnprior remain optimistic that more candidates will emerge closer to the deadline, citing past experiences of last-minute filings. Lynch, who has been acclaimed in previous elections, highlighted the satisfaction of Arnprior residents with his performance.
Both Brose and Lynch acknowledged the financial challenges of municipal politics, noting the modest remuneration relative to the job’s demands. The limited pay can deter younger, working-age individuals from participating in local governance, as it may not be financially viable for full-time or part-time engagement alongside other commitments. Lynch emphasized the need for a genuine passion for the community and the work involved in municipal politics, given the modest financial compensation provided.