ABSTRACT
Fifteen candidates who currently are not elected members of Cochrane’s Town Council, one running for mayor (Dean Hopkins) and the other 14 running as councillors, were sent an email asking just one question:
“Do you support the Town of Cochrane remaining a member of the ICLEI/FCM Partners for Climate Protection Program?”
The position of the current mayor and councillors on this matter was apparent from their vote at the Regular Council Meeting on September 8th.
The Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) Program, a program from ICLEI (the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives or Local Governments for Sustainability) and the FCM (the Federation of Canadian Municipalities), “consists of a five-step Milestone Framework that guides you as you take action against climate change by reducing emissions in your municipality. PCP receives funding from FCM’s Green Municipal Fund and ICLEI Canada.”
The candidates were asked just this one question in the interest of knowing where they stand on this issue prior to the election on October 20, 2025, that is, whether they are committed to serving local or global priorities.
Disappointingly, apart from a reply from Dean Hopkins, running for mayor, only 7 (Scott Shannon, Carol Grant, Cole Sunderman, Todd Muir, Margaret Blair, Howard May, and Chris Konanz) of the 14 non-previously elected councillors, bothered to respond to my one question sent to most of them more than two weeks ago on September 10th. Regardless of which answer you prefer, and I have been transparent in wanting a No, one has to give credit to each of the candidates that answered for their willingness to engage. If one cannot experience transparency and engagement with them during this pre-election time, what can one expect of them once elected?
The table above summarizes where the various candidates stand with respect to my one question. Something to consider when it comes time to vote in the municipal election on October 20, 2025.
For more information, consider the Voices of Cochrane Public Facebook group.
FULL BLOG
On September 10th, 12 candidates, one running for mayor (Dean Hopkins) and the others as councillors, who are currently not elected members of Cochrane’s Town Council, were sent an email asking just one question:
“Do you support the Town of Cochrane remaining a member of the ICLEI/FCM Partners for Climate Protection Program?”
The position of the current mayor and councillors on this matter was apparent from their vote at the Regular Council Meeting on September 8th.
Subsequent emails were sent to new candidates, Howard May on September 16th, Chris Konanz on September 22nd. and Brian Demong on September 23rd.
The Partners for Climate Protection (PCP) Program, a program from ICLEI (the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives or Local Governments for Sustainability) and the FCM (the Federation of Canadian Municipalities), “consists of a five-step Milestone Framework that guides you as you take action against climate change by reducing emissions in your municipality. PCP receives funding from FCM’s Green Municipal Fund and ICLEI Canada.”
The candidates were asked just this one question in the interest of knowing where they stand on this issue prior to the election on October 20, 2025, that is, whether they are committed to serving local or global priorities.
As candidates, one expects that part of their campaign platform is to be transparent and willing to engage with the citizens of Cochrane.
For example, Dan Cunin speaks of “Honest Conversations” and “bringing transparency and accountability back to council”. Paul Singh speaks of “strong community engagement”. Sabine Spears, mentions that she “will push for clear, timely communication from administration and council—so residents aren’t left guessing about decisions that affect their lives.”
Disappointingly, apart from a reply from Dean Hopkins, running for mayor, only 7 of the 14 non-previously elected councillors (Scott Shannon, Carol Grant, Cole Sunderman, Todd Muir, Margaret Blair, Howard May, and Chris Konanz), and none of the above, have bothered to respond to my one question. Regardless of which answer you prefer, and I have been transparent in wanting a No, one has to give credit to each of the candidates that answered for their willingness to engage. If one cannot experience transparency and engagement with them during this pre-election time, what can one expect of them once elected?
The table above summarizes where the various candidates stand with respect to my one question. Something to consider when it comes time to vote in the municipal election on October 20, 2025.
For more information, consider the Voices of Cochrane Public Facebook group.