Opinion – 5 Key Candidate Questions

Sometime after May 1, a candidate for City Council or Mayor may knock on your door. After the usual introductions, they will ask for your support on October 26th.

Take the opportunity to ask a few questions to judge whether a candidate truly understands local issues and is ready for office. Those questions can help you determine what kind of councillor or mayor they would be.

Here are five questions covering current issues in municipal politics.

1) Would you support a motion calling for the elimination of Strong Mayor Powers in Burlington?

Strong Mayor Powers, introduced by the Ford government, give mayors expanded authority to speed up housing and infrastructure projects. In practice, they allow mayors to bypass council, veto budgets, and hire or dismiss municipal employees. Critics argue that the legislation concentrates too much power in the mayor’s office, undermines other elected officials, and can lead to interference in human resources decisions. There is little evidence that it has increased housing construction.

2) What measures would you support to control municipal spending and increase revenue?

Since 2022, the Burlington line on your tax bill has risen 44%. Burlington’s increases are well above the rate of inflation.

A strong candidate should be able to name programs that could be reduced or identify practical ways to save money. If the answer is vague or unrealistic, you are probably dealing with someone who has not done their homework. At the same time, beware of candidates who promise sweeping savings without explaining how they would achieve them. Municipal government is complex, unionized, and difficult to reform. Real savings require research, innovation, and careful planning.

3) If elected, will you serve full-time, and how many hours per week are you prepared to commit?

Whatever one thinks of individual councillors or the mayor, the role requires serious effort. Council meetings, regional meetings, committee work, constituent communications, phone calls, briefing notes, policy review, and public events can easily fill a week.

If a candidate says they can do the job part-time while keeping another job, they do not understand the demands of the office.

4) What will be your main priority if elected?

This is one of the best questions you can ask; it separates out the serious candidates.

Candidates who talk about financial management or infrastructure may see municipal government as focused on delivering services. If they speak about improving urban life, they may be taking a more people-centred view. Candidates with a vague answer— for example, “get things done” or “improve representation” — may not have thought about why they are running or what they hope to accomplish.

5) Who is financing your campaign, and will you accept donations from people in the real estate or development industry?

Campaigns cost money, and candidates usually need outside support. Some self-fund, and others rely on family, friends, neighbours, etc. But it is fair to ask where the money is coming from.

Be wary of candidates supported by special interests, especially real estate agents and developers. If a candidate receives funding from those sectors, it may create the expectation of something in return — particularly on development-related decisions. In politics, as in business, money often comes with expectations.

A candidate who clearly rejects this kind of funding deserves credit. A vague or evasive answer should raise concern.

Conclusion

In the job market, a candidate studies the role, learns the employer’s priorities, and understands the organization’s culture. The same principle applies in politics.

A strong candidate will have done their homework. They will understand their ward, their community, and the basics of municipal government.