‘You’re elected to lead’: Expert advises Nunavut mayors on effective local government
George Cuff tells municipal leaders about importance of ethics, healthy workplaces and responsibilities
George Cuff, a former municipal politician and longtime local government adviser, speaks to Rankin Inlet councillor Danny Kowmuk during a break at Tuesday’s Nunavut Association of Municipalities’ annual general meeting in Iqaluit. Cuff spoke Tuesday to municipal leaders about their roles and responsibilities. (Photo by Jeff Pelletier)
Be passionate about your community, be an ethical leader and encourage healthy debate.
Mayors and administrators from across Nunavut were given that advice on how to lead and govern their communities during a keynote address at the Nunavut Association of Municipalities annual general meeting in Iqaluit.
George Cuff — a veteran municipal politician and consultant with experience working across Canada — delivered a nearly 45-minute speech, on the second day of the four-day gathering.
In it, he outlined his approach to serving as an elected official in a community and running a functional municipal office.
Cuff said one of the most important parts of an elected official’s job is to behave in an ethical matter in all aspects of life.
From his own experience as a four-term mayor of Spruce Grove, Alta., Cuff said you never know when and where someone from your community will recognize you.
“The difference between being a citizen and being an elected official is that your public display of your ethics, your public display of your behaviour, is on public display,” he said.
“When you’re an elected official, everybody looks in and they want to know who you are and what you’re doing, and they think they own a piece of you. And in some ways, they do, because they elected you.”
To Cuff, “role clarity” is the biggest issue that occurs within municipal governments.
Specifically, the roles of the mayor, councillors and senior or chief administrative officer need to be clearly defined, he said.
Decisions on policy come from the mayor and council, but it’s up to the CAO or SAO to carry out council’s direction.
“You’re not elected to shovel the snow, you’re not elected drive the Zamboni,” he said.
“You’re elected to lead. Somebody has to set the direction and say ‘follow me,’ and know that you’ve got people behind you.”
Cuff offered some other tips for mayors.
Mayors and councillors need to conduct regular annual performance reviews for administrators, he said.
Municipal leaders are responsible for maintaining a healthy workplace; however, civil debate in councils should be encouraged.
“You need to have a council that works together but that thinks independently,” Cuff said.
“A non-healthy council is one where the councillor can’t wait to get onto social media and crap all over their colleagues and council, and say why they did a lousy job.”
Tuesday’s events continued through the afternoon with professional development sessions.
Cuff wished the mayors luck. Most of them are newly elected following the Oct. 23 municipal elections.
“The fact that you’re involved in local government — that’s the best order of government there is in Canada, much better than provincial, federal or territorial,” he said.
“Be passionate about what you’re doing, be happy to represent who you represent.”
The annual general meeting runs through Thursday at the Aqsarniit Hotel and Conference Centre.
“You’re elected to lead. Somebody has to set the direction and say ‘follow me,’ and know that you’ve got people behind you.”
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Oh so true, and oh so rare in Nunavut these days.
I think the portion about healthy debate is important. Too often we see a Mayor or select few councillors that run the show and are not tolerant of other opinions or views.
Also those not willing to voice an opinion or follow up on it should not be on boards. we dont need more bodies in chairs for the pay check.
Also the Mayor/chairperson was elected/selected to lead. so they should often have the strongest opinions as well. Though your right they should consider others ideas and know when others ideas are better then there own.
Governance: The elephant in every boardroom in Nunavut.
The Inuit Orgs think that, just because they own Nunavut and everything in it, it should be run as they want it run and for their benefit.
Fact check: The inuit orgs do not own nunavut and everything in it.
Inuit Orgs: mentioned Inuit orgs you mentioned are just over-paid, elf over pompous ppl. what re they good for other than lining their pockets. I have yet to see RIO boss whom are for his/her ppl….
“A non-healthy council is one where the councillor can’t wait to get onto social media and crap all over their colleagues and council, and say why they did a lousy job.” – can anybody say “Donald Trump?!!!!”
Only a democrat in the USA and Liberals in Canada would say that. Goes to show who you are 😂😂
The Municipal functions should be Public service, open dialogue, communications, notices to public (regular basis), positive atmosphere etc. However, in other words you may notice over period of time once few Councilors are elected it appears to lean on as belongs to oneself/ itself! This certainly creates barriers to Municipal Socio-Economic infrastructures reflect on personal Municipal affairs day-to-day operations in council regular meetings to conflict of interests to hiring process! Inclusive to make-up salary benefits of managements or finance.
The Municipal Government operations will NOT changed nor improved ONLY if CG&S step-up and address awareness how Municipal Government should actually administer day-to-day operations. Notice some elected Mayors do NOT stay in the OFFICE regularly to address Municipal issues or infrastructures that lacks accountability to infrastructure peanut FUNDS!?!
This concludes to people hiring staff without qualifications nor training on various positions. This certainly leans to toxic environment where personal issues in public workplace become burden to circus i.e. did you pick-up trash lately? Where is EDUCATION today? Is this ONLY exempted in Nunavut!?!
What in the world are you trying to say?
Wow, notice the trend? Follow-up the 10% scoop!?!
Yeah!?! Word Salad? The councilors are elected public service that supposed to represent members in the community, and behalf of the community, and certainly NOT penny funds observants! Can’t wait for next regular council meeting’s for next cheque? The Councilors are certainly NOT dictators, and should NOT micro-managed Municipal affairs period!
Notice the trash lately!?!
Communities were in a rush too become Hamlets rather than remain settlements because they “knew how to run their own affairs”. Even took over local govt operations like DPW for a while. Today all Hamlets demand GN fix every problem, pay for everything as has become clear during every QP in the House.
Yeah!?! Word Salad? The councilors are elected public service that supposed to represent members in the community, and behalf of the community, and certainly NOT penny funds observants! Can’t wait for next regular council meeting’s for next cheque? The Councilors are certainly NOT dictators, and should NOT micro-managed Municipal affairs period!
Notice the trash lately!?!