Many shades of grey: trend in municipal politics

With longtime St. John's councillor Shannie Duff not seeking municipal re-election this fall, as well as several other veteran councillors retiring from public office in Newfoundland and Labrador — the push is on to encourage younger people to run. 

Only 3.4 per cent of the councillors in the province are under the age of 35. 

'I don't want to die on the job' —Brendan Peters, mayor of Trinity Bay North

There's also been a significant increase in the number of councillors over 65. A 2007 census showed 89 people in municipal offices were older than 65.

Four years later, the number's grown to 138 — an increase of 55 per cent.

Trinity Bay North Mayor Brendan Peters is 71. His name won't be on the ballot in September.

In his tenure, Peters has seen the amalgamation of Melrose, Port Union, Catalina and Little Catalina become one municipality, with a population of about 1800.

"I've got a lot of years on council, and I'm not young anymore … I don't want to die on the job," he said.

Peters figures he's been involved in municipal politics in some capacity for 25 to 30 years, and felt the time had arrived to bow out.

"It's not an easy job, it's [Trinity Bay North] a difficult area of municipality, having economic struggles," said Peters. "There was lots of money years ago, but now it's a struggle … and you hate to be bugging people who can't pay their taxes."

Growing concern

Churence Rogers, mayor of Centreville-Wareham-Trinity and president of Municipalities NL, is concerned about the aging demographic.

"We've known for some time from our own internal surveys, the age for municipal leaders across the province — it's 55 years of age or older," said Rogers. "It's a concern for us, and has been for some time."

Rogers said MNL is putting the message out with hopes that the younger generation will heed the call and run in this year's election.

"We're doing this through our current municipal leaders as they step aside, and through mail-outs," he said.

"We're also doing a major piece of work with municipal affairs called Make your Mark. Over the next three or four months before the election, we're encouraging younger people to think about offering themselves in leadership positions in their community councils," Rogers said.

"To keep communities sustainable for the long-term, sooner or later they're going to have to step up to the plate," he added

Learn as you go 

Zane Tucker stepped up 12 years ago at the age of 21, and became an elected member of the Gander town council.

Although he's leaving the position in September, Tucker feels a younger generation will bring a different perspective.

"We had a pretty good mix when I first joined council," Tucker said. "We had people in their 40's and up to their 60's. You had those with experience in the community to help you learn; and from the get-go my colleagues and the staff were there to help. You learn as you go and you're not alone."

Wayne Power, 30, has been on the Placentia town council for the last five years.

He recalls the large age differences when he was first elected.

"There was a 40-plus year difference between me and the eldest member of council," said Power. "It was a privilege, yet intimidating at the same time … and a huge learning curve."

Power believes many younger people find the personal-work life balance challenging — often a deterrent in making a decision to run for council.

"We need younger people on town council — to be involved. You can find the balance between your personal life and offering yourself for muncipal government," Power said. 

"The time commitment is a big factor for young families. Extra-curricular activities can eat up a lot of your time … that's a bit of a turn-away card."