Milton Needs The Most Qualified Possible On Council
Over the many years that I’ve volunteered in and/or served the local democratic process, I’ve worked with a number of elected representatives and have had the privilege to mentor many more.
As we enter the 2026 municipal re-election season, I’ve talked to a half dozen or more candidates, so far. While to become a candidate only requires that you be a Canadian citizen, be at least 18 years of age and live in Milton, I think much more is required to do the job effectively and so I’ve shared the following insights over the last several years:
Candidates must live in the ward. They aren’t legally required to live in the ward they run in, but they should. How else are they going to know the important issues in that ward if they don’t live there?
Candidates must have monitored Milton Council for a minimum of two years, specifically including budget, planning and service quality discussions;
Candidates should have a formal education, whether university, community college or a trade school. Why? That demonstrates they are capable of learning because there is a lot to learn to become an effective municipal councillor;
Candidates must be financially literate. That means they can read and understand a balance sheet, an operating budget and a capital budget. Most of the discussions at Milton Council involve money;
Candidates must have managed people professionally. Municipal councillors are dealing with professional staff and property taxpayers. They need to be able to manage those relationships properly;
Candidates must have demonstrated considerable volunteer leadership in Milton. To understand our community and its many challenges and opportunities, the best way to do so is to have led a community
organization on a voluntary basis. CR
organization on a voluntary basis. CR