The information within this section provides a brief introduction of the requirements for running for office in the Town of Edson. Candidates are responsible for understanding all legislation concerning elections. Further information will be provided as it becomes available.
A Town Council sets the vision and direction for their municipality. They do so by
adopting policies and bylaws that encompass these goals, as well as by approving the municipal budget. It is then the responsibility of the municipal staff to administer and carry out the policies set by Council. Council may then work through their one employee, the CAO, to ensure the organization objectives are being met.
As a Councillor you will have the occasion to put forward ideas and opportunities for the betterment of your community. However, decisions or monetary commitments may not be made individually and must be made by a majority of Council through a Resolution. If a decision made by a majority of Council does not align with your opinion, you must be able to respect the difference of opinion and demonstrate a unified front.
As a Councillor, you are a leader and a representative of the Town of Edson. As such, when you are in public, you should conduct yourself in a manner that appropriately aligns with these responsibilities.
The Town of Edson’s Elections Bylaw requires a candidate’s nomination papers to be accompanied with a Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check. Nomination papers filed without the required documents will not be accepted.
The Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check must have been completed within the previous six months from the date that the candidate files their nomination papers. It must be completed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Criminal Record Checks and Vulnerable Sector Checks will not be accepted if they are conducted by a third-party provider.
To obtain a Vulnerable Sector Check from the RCMP, the candidate must provide a letter indicating the check is required as, if elected, you may engage with boards, committees, and events involving youth and/or vulnerable populations. This letter will be provided by the Town of Edson.
During your four year term as a Councillor, you will be required to attend many meetings and events which can be demanding on your time. These include:
- Regular Town Council meetings, which are held on the first and third Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m.
- Regular Committee of the Whole meetings, which are held on the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p m.
- Meetings of other boards and agencies to which you are appointed as a Council representative;
- Various other conferences (e.g. AUMA and FCM), conventions, seminars and workshops for training and discussion.
A Councillor must also spend time reading the agenda and preparing for the respective meetings, as well as, speaking with members of the public , the Chief Administrative Officer and other parties related to the municipality. There may also be events promoting Edson where Councillors receive invitations to attend.
During their term(s), Councillors sit on a range of specialized Boards & Committees which fulfill a number of important functions within Edson and the surrounding region.
Under section 153 of the MGA, all Councillors have the following duties:
- To consider the welfare and interests of the municipality as a whole and to bring to Council’s attention anything that would promote the welfare or interests of the municipality;
- To promote an integrated and strategic approach to intermunicipal land use planning and service delivery with neighbouring municipalities;
- To participate generally in developing and evaluating the policies and programs of the municipality;
- To participate in Council meetings, Council Committee meetings, and meetings of other bodies to which they are appointed by the Council to obtain information about the operation or administration of the municipality from the Chief Administrative Officer or a person designated by the Chief Administrative Officer;
- to keep in confidence matters discussed in private at a Council or Council Committee meeting until discussed at a meeting held in public;
- to adhere to the Code of Conduct established by the Council under section 146.1(1);
- to perform any other duty or function imposed on Councillors by this or any other enactment or by the Council.
The Mayor has the same powers, duties, and responsibilities as any member of Council.
The Mayor has no veto power over a decision of Council.
Additional responsibilities of the Mayor include:
- Preside over Council meetings unless otherwise provided for by Bylaw;
- Is an official member of all Council committees and all bodies to which Council has the right to appoint members;
- Providing Council with guidance interpreting Town Policies and procedures;
- Representing the Town and Council to outside agencies and communities; and
- Providing Council with overall leadership and direction.