It’s official - ward system plebiscite will occur prior to 2008 municipal election!

Last night, Council voted in favor of holding a plebiscite prior to the 2008 municipal election. This means the citizens of Saint John will finally have the opportunity to vote to change the current electoral system. The motion was raised by Michelle Hooton and passed with a vote of 6 to 4.

• In favor: Mayor Norm McFarlane and councillors Michelle Hooton, Peter McGuire, Stephen Chase, Carl White, and John Ferguson.
• Voted against: Councillors Ivan Court, Glen Tait, Bill Farren, and Jay-Young Chang.
• MIA: Chris Titus.

The main combatants in the heated dispute were Hooton, who spoke passionately in favour of the motion, and Court, who spoke just as passionately against the concept, quoting past studies that indicated a ward system wouldn’t necessarily improve representation. Hooton said a majority of citizens have indicated for the past decade that they want a mixed-ward system, but past councils have rejected the idea. Council has the power to act on its own, she said, by changing the rules without a plebiscite. But her motion asked for the matter to be brought before the public before the next election.

The province also advised that new ward boundaries would have to be in place more than six months before the election, which is scheduled for May 12, 2008. That means results would have to be known before Nov. 12, leaving a little less than three months to educate the public and hold a plebiscite.

It was the second vote on the topic in the last few months. In April, council defeated a motion to implement a ward system by a vote of 8-3. Those in favour of wards were Hooton, Chase and Peter McGuire. Those against wards McFarlane and Ferguson, Tait, Chang, Court, Farren, Titus and White.

So how can you support the ward system? Easy, tell your friends and family about it. Let them know that is can improve the way people are election in the city and make people more accountable. It’s going to be good for the city and for our electoral system.

Also, I’ve started a Facebook group, I’m voting for a Ward System in Saint John, NB, that you can join to show your support!