The job of mayor, like that of a politician in general, cannot be learned at school. We learn it on the job. I was a newly elected mayor and yet I hesitated to call my counterparts to ask for advice. It was a mistake. It must be said that the one I especially wanted to call was quite a number. He was at the height of his popularity and his frankness was both seductive and extremely intimidating. The person I hesitated to call was Régis Labeaume.
We had met at the caucus of mayors of large cities in Quebec and, to my great astonishment, things clicked between us. I say this to my great astonishment, because I confess to being one of those who saw in him a rather bizarre bibite, a sort of free political electron oscillating between the statesman and the wacko! I remember an interview where, in response to a question about his rather original contributions to public debate, he said something like: “I’m improving! Before I said one stupid thing a week, now I must be down to one a month! » It was this frankness that appealed to me.
I don’t remember the exact moment I lost my temper, but I know it should have been much earlier in my tenure. When I decided to call him, he called me back immediately.
He started by lecturing me, telling me to never stop by his office again, to text him directly. I had the impression that he had crammed everything into his calendar to take my call. I talked to him about what was bothering me, we talked for a long time, he was generous.
A few days after our conversation, on a Saturday morning around 9 a.m., while I was reading my newspaper in the company of my sweet wife, the phone rang: “Maxime, it’s Régis, how are you doing?” » He wanted to have news. His interest was genuine. It was the start of a beautiful working relationship which, over time, transformed into a friendship.
Why am I telling you all of this ?
Because there would be fewer resignations, more good decisions and more happiness in the municipal world, and I would say in politics in general, if elected officials from different cities got together a little more.
Let’s say it again: the role of politician cannot be learned at school. Exchanges between elected officials from the same council are obviously useful to work better, but exchanges with a counterpart from elsewhere in Quebec, detached from local issues, politically disinterested, are priceless.
It is in this spirit that with a few people, I am organizing a voluntary activity to facilitate mutual aid among elected officials. Next September, in Gatineau, the first meeting of the new municipal wave will be held1.
We have chosen the expression “new wave” to describe the elected officials who are participating in the great movement of change which is sweeping through the municipal world. These are elected officials who consider cities as local governments, responsible for what happens on their territory, even in new areas of intervention for municipalities, such as homelessness or welcoming immigrants. Elected officials with a sense of urgency regarding the environment. Elected officials who believe that developers must adapt to municipal planning and not the other way around. Elected officials who want to stimulate citizen participation and modernize municipal taxation.
We will discuss the challenges facing this new wave. For example, what to do, how to react, who to call when the municipal administration resists change? What contribution can valuable civil society partners make? How do municipal councils where very different visions of the role of municipalities collide manage to move forward together? We will also chat, quite simply, to create connections.
Active elected officials can help each other, but the “elders” are not useless!
Founded in 2017, and still relatively little known, the Quebec Association of Former Elected Municipal Officers (AQAEM) has set itself the mission of sharing the experience of its members with the municipal world. “Serve again” is its motto. In the fall, it should announce a certain number of programs (mentoring, support, etc.), free or almost free, which will also help current elected officials to respond to the challenges they face.2.
The sensational resignations we have witnessed this year and the press coverage they have received could have an extremely negative impact on the next municipal elections. Whether we like politicians and politics or not, they are absolutely necessary. We need people who think collectively, who manage our common resources, who build our future with us and for us. Their task is heavy. If they relax a little and take the time to talk a little more to their counterparts, their political life will be lighter and more fruitful.
They might even find friendship there!
1. Check out the Facebook event
2. Visit the AQAEM website
What do you think ? Participate in the dialogue