LETTER

A councillor’s mandate

 

I saw that the Bulletin published the following on their Facebook page, regarding someone who complained that Mike Duggan wasn't following the interests of his constituents:  “Councillors sit for the entire city. Technically, it isn't the councillor representing the district to council, but the other way around.”

I was surprised by this, as councillors are elected by voters from their district only, not the entire city. As a consequence, a councillor’s primary responsibility is to be a voice for those constituents at town hall. In theory we elect our councillors because their platform reflects our values, and our voices are heard at town hall as a result. But once we're outside the candidate's platform, their responsibility is to listen to their constituents.  Especially if they hope to be reelected.

This is true for our representatives at the federal, provincial or municipal levels.  Their primary responsibilities are to the voters who elected them, and who they work for.  In practice we don't always see this, but the reverse is more a failing of our system than something which has been institutionalized.

The mayor works for the entire city, and is elected by the entire territory as well. I don't agree with many of his policies, but the system is what it is.

Councillor Duggan needs to listen to and represent those in his ward, as a matter of duty and if he wants to be reelected in 3.5 years.  My own councillor, Gilles Chagnon, seems to understand this well.  

Ian  Barrett
Aylmer