INTRODUCTION About the Municipality of Jasper PAGE 2 Thinking of Running for Council? PAGE 2 DECIDING TO RUN Making an Informed Decision PAGE 3 Eligibility PAGE 3 Time Commitment PAGE 4 OFFICES FOR ELECTION Office of the Mayor PAGE 5 Office of a Councillor PAGE 6 GENERAL INFORMATION FOR ELECTED OFFICE Role of Town Council PAGE 7 Duties and Powers PAGE 7 Bylaws and Policies PAGE 8 Being in the Public Eye PAGE 8 Other Options PAGE 8 Boards and Committees EVERYTHING YOUPAGE NEED 9 TO KNOW LIABILITIES AND DISQUALIFICATIONS OF COABOUTUNCILLORS RUNNING FOR MUNICIPAL Pecuniary Interest OFFICE IN JASPERPAGE 10 Civil Liability PAGE 10 Disqualification PAGE 10 IMPORTANTSO YOU DATES THINK AND TENTATIVE YOU SCHEDULES Election Dates PAGE 11 Post-ElectionWANT Schedule TO BE A PAGE 11 Council Calendar PAGE 12 COUNCILLOR ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Municipal Election 2017 PAGE 13 Information regarding Municipal Associations PAGE 13 Reference Documents PAGE 13 NEXT STEPS – THE NOMINATION PROCESS PAGE 13 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION About the Municipality of Jasper PAGE 2 Thinking of Running for Council? PAGE 2 DECIDING TO RUN Making an Informed Decision PAGE 3 Eligibility PAGE 3 Time Commitment PAGE 4 OFFICES FOR ELECTION Office of the Mayor PAGE 5 Office of a Councillor PAGE 6 GENERAL INFORMATION FOR ELECTED OFFICE Role of Town Council PAGE 7 Duties and Powers PAGE 7 Bylaws and Policies PAGE 8 Being in the Public Eye PAGE 8 Other Options PAGE 8 Boards and Committees PAGE 9 LIABILITIES AND DISQUALIFICATIONS OF COUNCILLORS Pecuniary Interest PAGE 10 Civil Liability PAGE 10 Disqualification PAGE 10 IMPORTANT DATES AND TENTATIVE SCHEDULES Election Dates PAGE 11 Post-Election Schedule PAGE 12 Council Calendar PAGE 13 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Municipal Election 2017 PAGE 14 Information regarding Municipal Associations PAGE 14 Reference Documents PAGE 14 NEXT STEPS – THE NOMINATION PROCESS PAGE 14 INTRODUCTION | ELECTION 2017 | PAGE 2 About the Municipality of Jasper Thinking about running for The Specialized Municipality of Jasper was Council? formed by the Province of Alberta on July 20, Council reflects the diversity of views and 2001. The Municipality of Jasper operates under an agreement with the Department of Canadian opinions that naturally reside within the Heritage, giving it authority over all municipal Municipality. As a Mayor or Councillor you matters with the exception of land use planning, have a chance to be a leader in your development, and environmental matters. The community. Municipality of Jasper assumed responsibility for There are no special qualifications specific jurisdictional matters from the Parks legislatively required to be a Councillor, Canada Agency on April 1, 2002. however visionary thinking, strong The Municipality of Jasper is unique because communication skills (speaking and of its location within a national park. listening), conflict resolution skills, an Governance is shared between the ability to be persuasive and accept Municipality of Jasper, which includes seven opposing views and enthusiasm are great (7) elected officials—one (1) Mayor and six attributes to bring to the Council table. (6) Councillors—and the Parks Canada Agency. DECIDING TO RUN | ELECTION 2017 | PAGE 3 Making an informed decision Do I have the skills & knowledge? Of all levels of government, municipal It is not crucial to have an education or government is the nearest to the needs and experience in a government setting to run as a candidate. expectations of local citizens. Local council members therefore have the opportunity to significantly influence the future of our You likely have skills, knowledge and abilities community. This can make a council member’s that are transferable to the elected official’s job both rewarding and demanding. role. You may want to undertake a self- assessment of your skills prior to running for Before casting your hat into the ring, it is elected office. Think about your volunteer important to figure out whether or not you have experience, community involvement, work adequate time to devote to the position, and to experience, membership in different make sure the job will meet your expectations. organizations, and family life. Why should I run? Eligibility For governments to be representative of, and Sections 21 to 23 of the Local Authorities Election responsive to, the needs of their constituents, Act cover the eligibility requirements for municipal candidates and list conditions for disqualification their make-up should reflect the demographics of the constituency. As an elected official, you will: TO BECOME A CANDIDATE, YOU MUST: - Be at least 18 years of age on nomination day; - Bring the perspectives of your demographic to - Be a Canadian citizen; and the decision-making table; - Have been a resident of Jasper for six - Influence changes that benefit your community consecutive months preceding nomination day and ensure its sustainability; YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO RUN IF YOU: - Put forward new ideas for debate and possible - Are an employee of the Municipality of Jasper implementation and change; (unless you are granted a leave of absence prior to nomination day); - Make a positive difference in the quality of life in your community; - Are an auditor of the Municipality of Jasper; - Provide a voice for your community with other - Are more than $50 in arrears on your property levels of government; and taxes, or you are more than 90 days in default of any debt to the Municipality of Jasper in - Be part of a team that makes decisions that excess of $500. (If you are not sure about this, affect all aspects of community life. please call 780-852-3356 to find out if you have any amounts owing); or - Have been convicted of an offence under the Local Authorities Election Act, the Elections Act, or the Canada Elections Act within the last 10 years. DECIDING TO RUN | ELECTION 2017 | PAGE 4 Time Commitment 5. Other travel Travel for other duties is not common, however in The Mayor and Councillors serve four-year terms. the past council members have had opportunities to The 2017 council will be sworn in within a week of visit other resort communities to promote inter- the general election and serve until October 2021. municipal ties and to learn about successful What are the commitments? initiatives. The Mayor has, on occasion, been required to travel to Edmonton and to Ottawa to 1. Regular and Committee of the Whole meet with government officials on behalf of the meetings of Council Municipality of Jasper. The Jasper Municipal Council meets every 6. Social and other events Tuesday of each month, except on the fifth These events can range from attending local Tuesday of the month if there is one. fundraisers, to giving welcome speeches at conferences, to representing the Municipality at 2. Special meetings of council industry-related social functions, among a host of Additional council meetings are scheduled from other things. Time commitments in this area are time to time, and for budget deliberations in usually heavier for the Mayor, and will also depend on the interest and availability of various Council November and December. members. 3. Board and committee meetings 7. Background work The Mayor and individual Councillors are each The various Council meetings you will be attending appointed to represent Council on an average of each come with an Agenda Package, a package of three internal and external committees, boards reports and correspondence intended to help you or agencies. Meeting times vary, and can be bi- prepare for the decisions required at the meeting. weekly, monthly, or less frequent depending on You will need to have time to thoroughly read the the situation. information before attending meetings. You will also want to have some time to meet occasionally 4. Conferences and Training with the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), who is Council’s only employee, and who is charged with The Municipality of Jasper is part of the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) and the task of implementing Council’s policies and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities programs. (FCM). Both associations hold annual conferences and conventions that provide 8. Your life You may find that it takes ten times as long to go to networking and learning opportunities. Many the post office as it used to. Council members are Council members regularly attend the AUMA very visible in this small town and usually find that convention, a three-day event held in October or they are never “off duty.” Residents will often take November, and the FCM conference, also a the opportunity to present their views or ask three-day event, in June. Each councillor may questions, whether in the vegetable aisle of the also be required or invited to attend various grocery store or in the stands at your child’s hockey training opportunities including Media Training, game. Elected Officials Training, and more. Be sure to take into consideration the time you need for your personal life and your work, volunteer, and educational priorities. The Mayor is also expected to: OFFICES FOR ELECTION | ELECTION 2017 | PAGE 5 - Chair regular Council meetings; - Attend meetings, public functions, ceremonies Office of the Mayor and other events, which may occur during The term of office for Mayor is 4 years. evening hours and on weekends; - Liaise with elected officials from other Duties of the Mayor municipalities and other levels of The Mayor is the Chief Elected Official (CEO) of the government regarding municipal issues; Municipality and has specific duties that include the duties of a Councillor in addition to those of a CEO as - Communicate Council policy to the media defined in the Municipal Government Act. and the public; and In general, a Councillor: - Work closely with the CAO to monitor and - Considers and promotes the welfare and respond to the organization’s outcomes. interests of the Municipality of Jasper; - Abides by the Municipal Government Act; Time commitment - Makes themselves available to interact with The position of Mayor is considered to be a the public.