Editor:
During the July 2 public hearing, I presented my strong opposition to the bylaw banning election signs on public property. This bylaw is undemocratic and infringes upon Section 2(b) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which guarantees freedom of expression. Political signs are crucial for candidates to communicate their messages and increase visibility. Limiting their placement restricts this vital form of expression.
In the last municipal election, the difference between many candidates was less than two per cent. Incumbents typically receive a boost in vote share due to their status alone. Removing the ability to use signs on public property extends this advantage significantly.
Arguments in support of the bylaw claim restrictions are only on public property, but incumbents can quickly deploy signs due to pre-existing relationships with property owners, while challengers could face significant delays, giving incumbents an unfair advantage in a short four-week campaign period.
While there are other forms of campaigning, signs still make an important difference. Public spaces have high visibility and can lift voter turnout. The cost of signs is not prohibitive compared to the $10,000 campaign limit. If candidates cannot raise funds for signs, their chances are slim, unless they are incumbents or have a well-established brand. Democracy is worth dealing with temporary visual clutter for 30 days every four years.
There is also an inherent conflict of interest for incumbent councillors voting on this bylaw, as it directly benefits their re-election efforts. Only a few municipalities in Canada such as Banff, Surrey, and Kingston do not permit signage on public property.
This bylaw undermines our local democratic processes and constitutional freedoms. It favours incumbents and places undue burdens on challengers. I urge council to reconsider its support. According to the Municipal Government Act, the only valid reasons for restricting signage are for the safety, health, and welfare of the people. This bylaw does not meet this threshold.
By limiting challengers' ability to run strong campaigns, we are essentially anointing incumbents. As Monty Python would say, "Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government." There is research that shows signage during elections increases voter turnout.
Council voted to pass the bylaw in a 4-2 split decision – with one councillor unable to attend the vote. For the record, Couns. Tanya Foubert and Karen Marra voted against the measure. The rest voted for limiting voter participation. We should remember these anti-democratic decisions the next time we get to vote.
Bruce Eidsvik,
Canmore
