Grey Highlands council has supported a resolution from the mayor of the Town of The Blue Mountains requesting full voters list information for all municipal election candidates.
In a recorded vote, council unanimously supported the resolution that was passed by The Blue Mountains council in late May.
The Blue Mountains Mayor Alar Soever brought the resolution forward after discovering that some municipalities don’t provide candidates with a voter’s list that includes a voter’s mailing address. In municipalities with a large population of part-time residents, this makes it difficult for candidates to connect with voters who are not permanent residents.
The resolution was circulated to all Ontario municipalities, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Premier Doug Ford’s office and the Canadian Civil Liberties Association.
Mayor Paul McQueen asked for a discussion on the resolution and said it was meant to bring “clarity” to the legislation.
Earlier in the meeting, local resident Dave Meslin addressed council and urged them to look into the voter’s list issue further.
“We’re trying to get more people involved and to run,” said Meslin. “One obstacle to engagement and public awareness is candidates in this municipality aren’t able to send direct mail to residents who don’t live here.”
Before the vote, members of council asked Clerk Raylene Martell for comments on the resolution.
“I wholeheartedly agree with Mayor Soever’s resolution on this. I do agree there is some change that needs to happen with this,” said Martell.
The clerk quoted the Municipal Elections Act, which states a clerk shall provide candidates only with the part of the list that contains the names of voters.
“That’s where the confusion lies,” she said. “I do agree with Mayor Soever’s resolution regarding reaching out to the ministry and getting that clarification. I know I am not alone in the confusion this has all brought forward.”
In addition to the organizations named in the resolution, council also decided to send the resolution to the Association of Municipalities for consideration.
