I've gotten quite a few e-mails and Tweets regarding an ad Ajax Ward 1 councillor Shaun Collier ran in his ultimately successful bid to win the Ward 1 and 2 Regional seat.
The ad says "Re-elect Shaun Collier For Regional Councillor Ward 1 and 2".
Now, people had issues with it because he was not the incumbent Regional councillor. People also questioned us publishing it in the News Ad.
I spoke with the ad rep who sold the ad and she said the contents of advertising are the responsibility of the advertiser. As well, she confirmed that Coun. Collier had approved the ad. She asked him about the word "re-elect" and he said he wanted to use it.
I spoke with Coun. Collier and he sent me the following e-mail:
Hi Reka,I understand that you are getting Tweeted etc… about my ad in last Friday’s paper. Here are the facts:
Prior to approving my ad, I researched the Municipal Act and the Municipal Elections Act. I also spoke with an Attorney and received a legal opinion. I am an elected official therefore I am seeking re-election by the residents and chose to use the wording. This is not in any way misleading and is a common marketing strategy. I have been a Councillor for 7 years and the residents of Ajax are fully aware of both mine and Scott Crawford’s positions.
I challenge anyone to show how my ad in any way contradicts the Municipal Elections Act and, if so, to take appropriate action.
Regards,
Shaun Collier
Town of Ajax - Ward 1 Councillor
Regional Councillor Wards 1 & 2 Elect.
Office: 905-409-6891
Fax:905-683-2426
I also called Blair Labelle, the deputy clerk at the Town and he said there's no rule about how to use words like "re-elect" in the Town's bylaws or in the Municipal Act and there are no rules regarding advertising content.
I know in Whitby former mayor Marcel Brunelle used the word "re-elect" in some of his signs and in Pickering former councillor Kevin Ashe used the word "return". Some folks thought the latter was fine since it wasn't the word "re-elect", but I'm not sure to the average voter there's a big difference between the two words.
Others argue anyone who has held a seat is entitled to the word "re-elect", even if they aren't a current councillor or they're running for a different seat.
Regardless, it doesn't look like any of it is against the rules, but a question of personal ethics.
In fact, we all know there's been cases where politicians have lied about their education or work experience and not faced any consequences in terms of election rules.
What do you think? Do you think using the word "re-elect" swayed someone to vote versuse "elect"?




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