Term Limits Part of Democratic Reforms Needed

Re: Council term limits needed, 27Oct2022

Dear Editor,

If you believe complacency is the enemy of new ideas and innovative thinking to solve our most difficult community challenges, it only makes sense the terms of all elected officials should be limited. 

New politicians, just like new employees, are best positioned to bring fresh thinking to question and explore established ways of operating, commonly known as culture in organizations. As Eric Hanson rightfully points out, politics as a life-long career leads to inertia and complacency. When was the last time a longer-tenured Councillor advocated for real, meaningful, system level change at City Hall? 

An Angus Reid Institute poll of Canadians in 2019 found 55% of those surveyed said term limits for politicians are necessary. The Richmond News online poll on Sept.22 showed over 72% of respondents support a limit of 2 or 3 terms (4 years per term)! 

Although term limits on politicians can be a valuable part of the solution in modernizing our democratic systems which have failed to evolve fully with society over the last couple hundred years, I'm not suggesting it is the sole solution. If our elected leaders on City Council are not open to considering different perspectives, working together, and embracing different thinking, term limits will not solve these problems. 

What term limits will do is provide the incentive of a time limit on their role to get on with the work of making important changes through courageous leadership rather than embracing a risk-adverse attitude to simply ensure a job for life. Are politicians there to serve the public or serve themselves?

Jerome Dickey