New updated content: 2018-03-26 10:04:19
update, brainstorm
Amanda has focused on researching what other nonprofit organizations have done regarding municipal elections. She suggested the possibility of using a survey as a way to communicate with candidates. Jake looked through our archives to identify strategies we’ve used during previous elections. He compiled data on how city councillors have voted in the past regarding issues GA has worked on. The data showed a tendency for City Councillors to vote en bloc with Mayor Jim Watson. Action: Paul will meet with Amanda and Jake to further discuss options for a strategy.
New updated content: 2018-04-218 11:06:41
Information session for candidates and third parties, April 19, and other electoral issues
Jake attended this meeting on our behalf. It was mostly intended for candidates and potential third party advertisers regarding new funding rules which come into effect on May 1.
Jake and Amanda also provided an update on the GA election strategy, which is focused on ensuring that all candidates are well aware of the greenspace issues they will confront during the next term of council, many of which are already known as they are ongoing and will not be resolved during the election. This will done through a candidate survey in June and regular messaging to candidates through various means throughout the election period. Their brief reports can be found here.
New updated content: 2018-06-25 12:16:01
2018 Municipal Election Strategy
Amanda presented a draft of the questionnaire that we would be sending to all candidates for City Council ahead of the 2018 Ottawa municipal elections. It is structured around specific policy items related to greenspace that we know will be on the agenda for the new terms of council. For each topic, the questions probe how familiar the respondents are with the item, how important it is to them and what their position would be when it comes for consideration by Council. There was support for the approach and agreement on the topics selected. However, there were a number of questions and suggestions for how to word the questions on what position the candidate would take on the issues when it comes up for consideration by Council.
Action: Amanda to refine the wording of the questions and finalize the questionnaire. Jake and Amanda to coordinate the conduct of the survey once all candidates have declared, deadline July 27.
New updated content: 2018-07-23 12:35:11
2018 Municipal Election Strategy
Paul reported that a new draft of the candidate questionnaire was in the works based on the comments received at the June meeting. Survey topics were reviewed and additional ideas for candidate views on green infrastructure and ecosystem services were put forward. Jake reported that he had compiled a list of email addresses for the candidates declared to date and that it would be complete by the July 27 deadline for candidate declaration.
Action: Paul to circulate a revised draft of the questionnaire. Jake and Amanda to coordinate the conduct of the survey.
New updated content: 2018-09-24 14:18:31
2018 Municipal Election Strategy
Amanda reported on the status of the Municipal Election Survey and presented different options for reporting on the results. It was agreed to put out the results in line with the proposed outputs during the week of October 8 and to seek out media channels to report on them.
Action: Paul and Amanda to prepare the survey reports and release them the week of October 8.
New updated content: 2018-10-20 14:33:12
2018 Municipal Election Strategy
Paul reported that 11 of the newly elected council members had completed our Municipal Election Survey and expressed the view that the new council may be more favourably disposed to greenspace issues than the last one. It was agreed to prepare a report on the stand these councillors took on specific greenspace issues in the survey and to distribute it along with an introductory letter from the GA to the new council.
Action: Paul to prepare the report and send introductory letters to the new Council.
New updated content: 2018-11-26 14:54:34
2018 Municipal Election follow- up
Paul distributed the introductory letter and survey report that was sent to all members of the new Council pursuant to the decision made at the previous general meeting. The letter can be found here, the report here.
