Municipal election season in Canada (2005)

[Hatman 🍁]

This year we have Newfoundland and Labrador (aleady had theirs on Sept 27) and coming up we have Quebec on Nov. 6 and B.C. on Nov. 19

Maybe our BC residents can tell us a little bit about those elections.

I'll give a synopsis of Newfoundland's results.

St. John's mayor Andy Wells was re-elected with a massive majority over Ray O'Neill (86%-14%)

Out of the top 7 largest municipalities, only one incumbent lost (Pricilla Boutcher in Corner Brook finished 3rd).

The only other notable thing was former MP Rex Barnes was elected mayor of Grand Falls-Windsor.

There were also floods in Stephenville postponing the election. And you may recall Labrador City mayor Graham Letto, who ran for the tories in the Labrador by-election this spring. He was re-elected mayor.

More info: http://www.vocm.com/news-info.asp?id=5897

[Filuwaúrdjan]

*likes local elections*

[Hatman 🍁]

*likes local elections*

Great! Got anything else to say?

[Filuwaúrdjan]

*likes local elections*

Great! Got anything else to say?

What's with the Corner Brook thing?

[Hatman 🍁]

*likes local elections*

Great! Got anything else to say?

What's with the Corner Brook thing?

VOCM stated the following:

"There's a big shake up at Corner Brook City Hall. Voters have elected a new mayor and five new councillors. Charles Pender moves from a council seat to the mayor's chair. He defeated three challengers including incumbent Priscilla Boutcher. The mayor-elect is looking forward to the challenge. Pender says orientation of the city hall process will be the first priority for the new council. Mary-Ann Murphy topped the polls for council. She will be joined by newcomers Wynn-anne Downer, Donna Luther, Leo Bruce and Charlie Renouf."

It's always surprising when incumbents lose, as municipal elections in Canada are usually non-partisan, so incumbents aren't associated with any parties, and therefore there is less anger towards them. So, in this case the incumbent, probably did something really bad, or this Pender fellow was a really popular councillor.

[Hatman 🍁]

This is an interesting article detailing Andy Wells (mayor of St. John's) political affiliations: http://www.cbc.ca/story/election/national/2004/06/04/wells_liberals040604.html

Says he supported Paul Martin, but was upset over oil, and voted Conservative.