A selection of municipal news from elsewhere, and other readings of interest.
Edmonton Municipal Election Problems Audit Report: The City of Edmonton’s municipal election voting day “was marked by long lineups, inadequate training and ballot boxes not being sealed properly” among a lengthy list of problems on October 20, 2025. An 8-page report on the issues will be considered by Edmonton Council next week.
Vancouver’s April 2025 by-election was marked by lineups to vote, with people waiting for hours to cast a ballot.
Hamilton’s 2022 municipal election was grossly mismanaged, with mail-in ballots sent out too late, a privacy breach revealing the email addresses of those who registered for mail ballots, and computer crashes on Election Day. Finally, a declaration of a local emergency was required to cure City Hall’s errors by extending voting times by hours at some stations.
The recent Ward 8 by-election in September was successfully conducted, with new procedures in place. Hamiltonians will go to the polls this fall; Election Day is October 26.
London Council debating ‘good neighbour’ requirements for social service agencies: Hamilton and London’s social services share many similarities. Both our cities are regional service centres with comprehensive hospital networks and social services that support people both within the city and those who arrive from beyond.
Similarly, the impacts of social service hubs are being felt in each community. Here in Hamilton, we’re experiencing negative impacts so severe that the Central Library will now close on Sundays.
London Council is debating adding ‘good neighbour’ language to its funding agreements. Postmedia reports that City staff and the agencies are concerned doing so is “duplicative” of existing expectations, may not be legally enforceable, and will increase the costs on social service agencies. Regardless of the debate outcome in London, I expect the issue of disorder surrounding service hubs will be an election issue, and we’ll see similar proposals from some candidates here in Hamilton.
Guelph Council Looking at Increased Compensation: The proposed pay increases, to begin with the next term of Council, reflect that being a Guelph councillor is becoming a full-time job. The proposed compensation, $70,218 per year (up from $52,857), is still below a rate that reflects the work. Village Media
Also, the comments on this article: only one person (at the time I’m writing this) appears to understand the problem of under-compensating de facto full-time politicians.
Brampton Council opposes federal Bill C-9: I’m noting this because the Peel Region struggled with sectarian clashes last fall, and Bill C-9’s stated purposes include preventing “hate” speech and intimidation/obstruction actions that interfere with gatherings at religious facilities. Story from Metroland Media.
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Published: January 26, 2026
Last updated: January 26, 2026
Author: Joey Coleman
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