Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs (SACPA)

In the last municipal election in Lethbridge fewer than 30% of the population bothered to vote despite a staggering 29 candidates vying for the 8 council positions. How is it that a robust campaign with so many candidates did not generate a stronger voter interest? Some candidates argued for a ward system to be brought to Lethbridge to make it easier for voters to make their choices but others argued that Lethbridge should remain an at-large system. Red Deer actually had a referendum on the matter during this election but declined to move to a ward system. In Calgary and Edmonton the role of developers and the influence of political financing proved to be central election questions, questions that did not escape the Lethbridge election either. What is the role of money, financing rules, and special interest groups in the democratic process? Do we need more regulations or are the current rules about post-election disclosure sufficient? The speaker will consider these questions as he reviews the 2013 Mun