By Mark Squibb
Mount Pearl councillors heading to this fall’s Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador (MNL) Conference are hoping to garner support for resolutions that would make future elections more accessible for people with mobility challenges.
Mayor Dave Aker, along with Deputy Mayor Nicole Kieley and councillors Isabelle Fry, Jim Locke, Mark Rice, and Bill Antle will be attending the conference in Corner Brook next month. They’re hoping that if the resolutions they present are adopted by their fellow municipal leaders, they may also one day be adopted as provincial law.
Each year, councils from across the province are invited to present resolutions – items they wish to one day see passed as provincial or federal law – at the annual event. The Mount Pearl contingent plans to propose a number of resolutions but none more resonant for Deputy Mayor Kieley than the one pertaining to accessibility.
“This is an item that is incredibly personal to me, and I think also is something that is going to benefit all of us in Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Kieley, herself an above-knee amputee. Kieley argued that qualities thought important to a traditional campaign, such as the ability to walk long distances or up and down stairs with ease are not necessarily strong indicators of good leadership.
“The Act, currently, favours able-bodied individuals,” said Kieley. “Whether you have the ability or not to move in a certain way doesn’t equate to leadership.”
Council also approved a resolution regarding the reimbursement of campaign expenses.
“This came to mind following the provincial election when I learned that candidates, provincially, are entitled to one-third reimbursement of their campaign expenses up to a cap provided, provided the candidate is either acclaimed or receives (at least) 15 percent of the popular vote,” said councillor Locke.
Making such a benefit available to municipal election candidates may reduce barriers and encourage more people to put their names forward for municipal election, he contended.
“Campaigns are expensive,” said Locke. “It’s okay for incumbents because we don’t have to spend as much, because we can rely on former signs and experience and stuff like that, but new candidates can be confronted with expenses of tens of thousands of dollars. And if they are unsuccessful, there’s no form of reimbursement.”
Locke suggested the reimbursement could come in the form of cash or a tax credit.
Council will also bring forward a resolution calling on the Province to regulate the use of scooters and eBikes.
“We need regulations on eBikes and scooters,” said councillor Bill Antle, noting many a resident raised the issue on the campaign trail. “Scooters are getting more and more popular on our trails, and there’s no age limit on these bikes and on these scooters right now.”