Longfield to Carry Liberal Banner for Guelph in Fall Election

They may not have been first, but many eyes were on the Liberal Party's Guelph membership to see who they would be nominating to succeed Frank Valeriote as their nominee in Guelph. Three people submitted their names for the chance to run for the Liberals in this fall's federal election. By the time it was all said and done, former Guelph Chamber of Commerce President Lloyd Longfield came out on top, but if there was a unifying tone amongst all the potential Liberal nominees it was that they're very convinced that Stephen Harper is going down this October. 

Burcher to Official Launch Liberal Nomination Bid

Forget the Federal Election coming - eventually - later this year, the real contest is going on now is the race to see who will become the new Liberal candidate in Guelph after Frank Valeriote announced his retirement last fall. Former Ward 5 councillor Lise Burcher will officially launch her campaign tonight at the Green Room at the Bookshelf. In an already busy campaign for the Liberal nom, Burcher is banking that it's not to late to make her case.

2015 Federal Election: Busy Race for Grits Vs Tory Troubles?

Since the announcement that Frank Valeriote had decided not to run for re-election last fall, it seems that local Liberals have been in non-stop campaign mode. Former Guelph Chamber of Commerce President Lloyd Longfield threw his hat into the ring fairly early, and was swiftly followed by scientist and author Wendy Powell. But if the local race for the Liberal nomination is big enough for two people, is it big enough for three? Or four? And what of the other parties? Is anyone else having election thoughts with the general election still over nine months away?

Burcher Exits Ward 5 Race

Despite registering to run for re-election the first day that nominations were open, Ward 5 Councillor Lise Burcher has decided to withdraw her name from the ballot. Burcher's is the second departure from the Ward 5 race in the last two weeks as Robert Routledge withdrew his candidacy last week citing work commitments. If no other names join the race, this effectively makes the Ward 5 race a fait accompli with only two names on the ballot remaining: incumbent Leanna Piper and former councillor Cathy Downer. Burcher, who is also a landscape architecture professor at the University of Guelph, was elected to council in 2003, and has also served on the Board of Directors for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. The last day to register as a candidate is September 12; the election takes place on October 27.

Election Year Day 2 - More Names on the Ballot

Either an indication of how busy the local balllot's going to be this election, or that there are a lot of eager beavers out there, three more names have been added to the rolls for the 2014 Municipal election. As per the Guelph Votes website, three people have added themselves to October 27 election, including two for mayor and one for city council. 

Press Release Clearing #2 - Burcher Re-Ups with FCM

Ward 5 Councillor (and recent "Better Know a Ward" profilee) Lise Burcher was re-elected to another term on the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Board of Directors. Attached is the press release from the FCM:

Guelph City Councillor Re-Appointed to National Green Council
Lise Burcher one of five Canadian municipal officials to serve on FCM’s Green Municipal Funds Council.

GUELPH, ON, June 9, 2010 – City of Guelph Councilor Lise Burcher was re-elected for a fourth term to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Board of Directors at the May annual general meeting in Toronto. FCM has been the national voice of municipal government since 1901 representing the interests of municipalities on policy and program matters that fall within federal jurisdiction.

The FCM Board of Directors is composed of sixteen elected municipal officials in Ontario and a total of seventy one directors across Canada. FCM membership constitutes 1,775 community members representing over 90% of the Canadian population. Its membership represents all regions and scales of community from the very smallest rural villages to Canada’s largest cities.

Councillor Burcher is a very active member in the organization and has taken on a number of leadership roles in addition to her board responsibilities, including serving as a Green Municipal Fund Council (GMF) member. The GMF is one of five councils across the country and she serves as the chair of the GMF’s audit committee. This committee administers $550 million in funds to support municipalities to undertake projects and plans that demonstrate innovation in sustainability.

She was one of several board members that initiated the development of a national municipal policy platform presented to the COP 15 climate change discussions n Copenhagen in December 2009. Councilor Burcher was also appointed to serve as FCM’s international representative for Latin America and the Caribbean; and showcased Guelph’s innovative Community Energy Initiative and its progressive community engagement strategies at the UN Habitat’s World Urban Forum in March of this year.

“It is an honour to be supported by my colleagues throughout Ontario in my bid for re-election to the Board,” stated Burcher. “I look forward to contributing further to the valuable work of this outstanding organization.”

Councillor Burcher was first elected to Guelph City Council in 2003. She represents Ward 5.

About the Green Municipal Fund
FCM’s Green Municipal Fund (GMF) provides loans and grants, builds capacity, and shares knowledge to support municipal governments and their partners in developing communities that are more environmentally, socially and economically sustainable.

About the Federation of Canadian Municipalities
The Federation of Canadian Municipalities has been the national voice of municipal government since 1901. With more than 1,750 members, FCM represents the interests of municipalities on policy and program matters that fall within federal jurisdiction. Members include Canada's largest cities, small urban and rural communities, and 18 provincial and territorial municipal associations.

Campaign Update

A lot of campaign news floating about today, one bit I uncovered myself and the other came as a bit of surprise.

First, the surprise as Ward 2 Coun. Ian Findlay threw his hat into the ring for re-election, joining his previously announced colleague Vicki Beard in the 2010 race. Both Findlay and Beard are the only candidates that have yet declared for Ward 2. Team Findlay sent out a statement to coincide with his announcement:

Ian Findlay announces candidacy for Ward 2 City Councillor

GUELPH, ON (May 20, 2010) - Guelph Ward 2 City Councillor Ian Findlay announces his campaign for re-election to Guelph City Council Thursday morning.

During the current council term, Ian brought transparency, accountability and accessibility to City Hall. Ian has worked hard to bring as many points of view to the forefront with the Ward 2 blog. He's particularly proud of the fact that the Ward 2 Blog has become the "go to" place for community dialog on a variety of topics with over 200,000 views.

As a councillor, working with members of the community has been a passion for Ian, exemplified by the timely action and leadership with the re-development of the Guelph Youth Music Parking Lot project.

Ian continued to facilitate community dialog and discussion with the 14 town hall meetings that he co-hosted with his fellow Ward 2 Councillor.

Additionally, as I was interviewing Councillors Leanne Piper and Lise Burcher for the Ward 5 segment of "Better Know a Ward", both councillors stated their intention to run again in 2010. (Although they've technically yet to declare officially.)

"Many of the initiatives that you begin in 2006, you can't see through in four years," said Piper in response to being asked about re-election. "Two terms of council, I think, are a minimum in order to feel satisfied that you've made a difference and you've seen through your vision into action. So yes, I'm running again."

"Absolutely, I plan on running again," responded Burcher. "And having been there another term I have to say that several of the large initiatives we've talked about started two terms ago. But I think the exciting thing now is that there have been so many initiatives in the last two terms, I would venture that it's 10, 12 year outcome for a lot of those larger things to even get to the starting stage."

Read more from Piper in Burcher in the "Better Know a Ward - Ward 5" to be published in the May 27th issue of Echo Weekly, a week from tomorrow.