This is a municipal election year in Ontario. That means many of us will soon be partaking in the time-honoured Canadian tradition of complaining about local politics while outright snorting at the suggestion that we might ourselves think about running for office.
On the surface, it might seem like a tedious, thankless part-time job. It comes with regular after-hours meetings and public appearances, community engagements, some seminars and out-of-town conferences. Plenty of debate over what might seem trivial issues. Hours reading committee and staff reports. Lots of responsibility and tough decisions.
But there’s an upside that many smart, capable and civic-minded people tend to overlook—serving on town council is a front‑row seat to shaping the place you call home. You get to turn good ideas into real projects, influence decisions that really matter in people’s daily lives.
You build skills, relationships and a sense of purpose and that’s not easy to find these days. And there’s nothing quite like the feeling of driving past something in town and thinking, “I helped make that happen.” Even if it’s just a tire-destroying pothole that got filled in.
And if two few people run, the consequences can be disastrous for a small community.
There is one certainty: this election will bring change. Mayor Andrew Hallikas, who began serving on council in 2010, will not be seeking re-election. Hallikas has brought long experience and a calm, steady approach to the mayor’s chair since 2022, guiding the Fort through a period of economic transition and tight municipal budgets.
As effective and efficient as council has been under Hallikas, there has been continued publicly expressed frustration over empty storefronts, a shortage of rental housing, the difficulty of attracting new development and the need for more aggressive economic action.
Which is why Fort Frances needs continued good leadership—we’re facing some major issues and we’re in the midst of a long transition. We need to build a sustainable local economy now that the mill era is long behind us. That means supporting small businesses, attracting new investment and making sure the town is ready for opportunities when they come, not scrambling after them.
We have a shortage of rental units, mid‑market homes and or modern options for seniors and young families, which makes it harder to attract workers, grow the population or support new employers. Roads, water and sewer systems and public facilities all need ongoing investment and small towns across Ontario are facing rising per‑capita costs.
Demographics are shifting, too. The population is aging; young people often leave for work or school and attracting newcomers takes effort. The town needs policies and programs that make the Fort a place where families, workers and retirees want to stay.
Community vitality matters. Recreation, events, downtown renewal, partnerships with Indigenous neighbours and cross‑border cooperation with International Falls all shape the town’s quality of life. These aren’t “extras.”
All good reasons why we need a robust and engaged council. When too few good people decline step up, the whole town feels it. Big projects stall, small problems drag on, committees sit empty and the same handful of exhausted volunteers end up carrying the load for everyone else. Budgets get less scrutiny, long‑term planning slips to the backburner and opportunities pass by simply because no one has the time or bandwidth to chase them.
If worse comes to worst and there aren’t enough candidates, positions get filled by acclamation or administrators are appointed by the province to run the town.
That is something we really, really don’t want.
Maybe it’s time we stop finding the prospect of a run for council so hilarious. We all talk a good game about what should be done to make things better around here. If you think your experience and earned wisdom might actually qualify you to do some good, maybe it’s time to step up. Talk to the town clerks about what it takes to run for council. They can point you toward an abundance of resources and educational opportunities that explain everything from nomination deadlines to fundraising rules.
The pay is not inconsiderable for a part-time gig: as of 2023, councillors make $15,389.14, the deputy mayor $20,646.81 and the mayor is paid $29,495.44 per year, plus expenses. Not bad for attending two regular council meetings per month plus special meetings and any appointed boards and committees.
And you can’t put a price on making a difference at a critical time.
Nominations don’t begin until May 1, which gives anyone thinking about running plenty of time to mull it over and start planning. Give it some thought while you dodge those potholes. They’re not going to fill themselves.
