Why Mr. Orser’s Proposal for a “Voting Block” is the Wrong Idea

Anyone who has watched the Rogers TV debate for Ward 4 will be familiar with Mr. Orser’s proposal that he create, and presumably lead, a voting block of 8 as yet unidentified ward councilors to accomplish some as yet unidentified goal. From my side of the camera, looking out into the audience comprised mostly candidates from Ward 1 – 4, having finished the taping of their ward “debate” and hanging around, the looks of astonishment on their faces was instructive.

That Mr. Orser, who has a history of doing end runs around the very body on which he was elected to serve and trying to make “policy” in the pages of the local paper instead, thinks he could build the consensus required to accomplish such an audacious goal is incredible to behold. Whether it rises to the level of hubris, or is simply gratuitous electioneering, is a decision that the voters of Ward 4 will have to make before October 25^th. I’ve been a constituent of his for four years now: he has given me no indication that consensus-building, or even playing nicely in the sandbox, is one of the tools in his belt.

Apart from all that, though, this is the wrong idea at exactly the wrong time. With the abolition of Board of Control, and its city-wide mandate, the newly-minted councilors from the fourteen wards of the city will be required to come together and step past parochialism to true city-building. There are serious challenges facing us, and a new governance model that will require of us much more than aping a party line.

Voting blocks are a step backwards, not forward. Like ideologies, they represent a failure of imagination. They relieve elected officials of the responsibility to engage in dialogue, to think, deeply and often laterally, about a range of policy options, to weigh the merits of each, and to come to a conclusion on the best way forward. Participants in a voting block don’t own the results of their deliberations. It is exactly what we don’t need in the coming term of council.

On October 25^th, vote Greg Thompson for councilor in Ward 4. It’s past time for sensible, serious and pragmatic representation for this great ward of ours. The people of Ward 4 needs someone in their corner to make sure we are treated fairly – a builder, not a meddler; experienced, passionate about our prospects, committed to helping to build a Next London that is safe, affordable, prosperous and healthy.