This idea isn’t heretical at all, Charlie.
Councillor Geoff Meggs presides over a ribbon cutting for one of the Canada Line stations.
I have been echoing the same sentiments for many years, having been in and around councillors and privy to an inkling of their schedule (the full weight of which I cannot properly fathom).
The commonly held notion about the job of a serving as a Councillor is that it is part-time – the expectation is that Councillors should not have to give up their normal course of employment once elected.
That, on the other hand, is more often than not, a pipe dream completely unrelated to the realities of the job.
Just last week council was in session observing a public hearing until 12:30 am.
Councillors are constantly meeting with constituents over any number of issues – the access given to the public for these councillors is unprecedented when compared to all levels of government.
Each councillor has a specific portfolio they are responsible for, which is time consuming when it comes to consultation, research, on-site tours, meetings, drarting motions, dealing with city officials, etc.
Councillors have very few weekdays and and weekends free from events they are expected to attend to represent the city.
The staff assigned to the councillors is completely inadequate, with two to three sharing one common adminstrative and scheduling staffperson. There is no political support whatsoever.
Council reports are long and involved, and to be actively informed and ready to make a decision in the best interests of the city, there is a considerable amount of reading, research and outreach needed.
Combine these factors together, and there is little time for family, nevermind another job.
Looking at the salaries as outlined in Charlies article, and you will see that most of the rates of compensation are hardly of a level that is adequate to raise a family on. Even those that are, when partitioned out over the hours spent on the job, it is ridiculous.
I am firmly of the opinion that Councillors should be better compensated, but as with any level of public representatives, legislating your own raises is akin to poliitcal suicide – particularly in today’s economic climate.
But there is absolutely no way that the Premier is going to move forward on making a move on municipal salaries, making this kind of problem unlikely to be resolved in the near future.
Thank God that the candidates stepping forward every election cycle are of a calibre that is nothing but impressive.
Whether drawn in by the lure of public service or by a desire to stroke a little ego, the race for City Council continues to offer people a more than competent group in which to make their choices from.
I just don’t know how people can accept the workload comparable to the amount of compensation offered.
I am thankful, but still in many ways baffled by the appeal.
